A record-setting NBA All-Star Game has been slammed as ‘disgraceful’ after the Eastern and Western Conference teams played little defense and combined for a whopping 397 points.
Behind an MVP performance from Damian Lillard, the East won 211-186 as they notched the highest-ever score in the game’s history.
And many viewers of the game were not pleased with the stars’ lack of defensive effort as Karl-Anthony Towns led all scorers with 50 points.
Respected sports columnist Bob Ryan said on X, ‘Once again, these NBA stars are showing no respect for the game. It’s another Dunkarama and 3-point farce. Not a single hand in anyone’s face… See you next year. What a waste of time. [Commissioner] Adam [Silver], you must do something. It’s embarrassing for your sport.
He continued, ‘If you’re not personally offended but this disgraceful farce taking place right now in Indy, you don’t love or understand basketball, These ‘All-Stars’ should be censured. And where are the coaches? Have any of them have any pride? They’re all acting like athletic court jesters.’
The NBA All-Star Game was slammed by many pundits after the record-breaking score
Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks the ball past Western Conference center Karl-Anthony Towns
Damian Lillard was named the game’s MVP after scoring 39 points and notching six assists
Meanwhile, SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt added, ‘It’s really simple: if you don’t care, neither do we.’
And ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe bemoaned, ‘NBA all star gm has turned into shooting 3s and dunks.’
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons also added, ‘It’s funny that we spend so much time on All Star Starters/Subs/Snubs and then the game always sucks a**.’
Even Lakers star LeBron James, who had a measly eight points in the game, acknowledged that players ‘don’t like just being able to have free flowing scoring.’
‘I think this is something we need to figure out,’ he said after the game, acknowledging that the NBA has become more high-scoring and pacey even in the regular season.
‘At the end of the day, our competitive nature don’t like just being able to have free flowing scoring. The good thing that came out of tonight is none of the players got hurt.’
In addition to the East’s record-setting 211 points, the total points of 397 smashed the record of 374 set in 2017.
"I think this is something we need to figure out … at the end of the day, our competitive nature don't like just being able to have free flowing scoring."
LeBron on the All-Star game's record setting score 👀 pic.twitter.com/O2pLHoYwGr
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 19, 2024
LeBron James played just 14 minutes and scored eight points as the West were blown out
Towns led all scorers with 50 points despite the West losing to their Eastern Conference foes
Furthermore, the East made 42 three-pointers to break the mark of 35 set by Team LeBron in 2019.
The sides combined for 193 points in the first half to break the any-half record of 191 set last year, and the East tied an any-half record by scoring 104 by intermission.
‘Obviously, it wasn´t high intensity, at all,’ the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton said.
Other records set included the East setting the record for three-pointers attempted with 97, while the teams combined for 163 field goals made and 289 attempted (the previous records were 162 in 2017 and 286 in 2016).
The teams also combined for 66 threes made and 168 threes attempted (the previous highs were 62 and 167 in 2019).
