An All-Star Dilemma

All-Star Games in the world of sports are confusing. On one hand you have the best of the world in one spot at one time to display their talents. On the other hand it makes a mockery of the sport and players. With the NHL All-Star Weekend over, the NFL Pro-Bowl finished and the NBA All-Star festivities upcoming its time to discuss why they don't work.

The term “All-Star” is slowing becoming less and less meaningful. When rules are in place that all teams must have representatives or certain players. All-star games should involve “All-Stars”, the best players from the respected sport. A prime example was at this years NHL All-Star Game, Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs was chosen to represent Toronto. Two problems with this; one Kessel isn't currently the best player in Toronto, second of all Toronto shouldn't even have a representative, the Maple Leafs don't have a star player that dominates every night. All-Star games need be fixed. It needs to involve the best of the best no matter who what where or when, no questions asked. Players shouldn't be able to back out of the event, it should be a mandatory.

The Game itself is one issue entirely but another issue is the whole festivities or challenges. Some can really make a mockery of their specific sport. Once again look at hockey, the Fastest Skater going backwards? or the most accurate passer? Those are two skills that don't need to be displayed. In the NBA the D-League All-star game and Slam Dunk contest? It seems professional leagues are just creating events to full time for fans when really it backfires. People don't show up to watch stupid events like that. Just play the game.

The All-Star games are fun for the players but don't really accomplish anything in terms of demonstrating the true skill of the sports. Players take it easy and try to have fun with it - but thats the problem. The All-Star game has to be meaningful. The MLB does it the best; the winner gets home field advantage in the World Series. Make the All-Star Games worth something. Make it worth a huge bonus or a trophy, something that blows the players away. I want to see a Roy Halladay throw a 105 mph fast ball trying to strike out a Albert Pujols who is trying to smash the ball 550 ft. I want to see a Sidney Crosby deke out a Tim Thomas for his 6^th goal in the game. I want to see fighting and anger. To make the All-Star Game truely be successful make it impossible to miss, make worth everything and make it mandatory.