Ever since news broke that the NBA All-Star Game would be changed, people have been clamoring for the league to televise the All-Star Draft. Obviously, the two top vote-getters would have a say on what players they have on their specific squad, but it would bring so much drama and story lines to the festivities.
Would LeBron James pick Kyrie Irving on his team? How many Golden State Warriors players would be on one squad? Would Kevin Durant end up on the same team as Russell Westbrook? Would the banana boat brothers all play on one side?
Adam Silver has been opposed this since the start, but is optimistic that it can change in the future. He’s not keeping it completely off the table.
Here’s what he had to say about the subject recently:
@TasMelas talks to Commissioner Adam Silver in London about the All-Star draft, shortening the Playoffs, and resting players. #TheStarters pic.twitter.com/lTrs2Y881o
— The Starters (@TheStarters) January 11, 2018
“Yes, it would be more fun if we had that kind of draft. On the other hand, I recognize that in picking a team to perform in the here and now, it’s a little different than drafting. There was a sense from the players that it put them in an impossible position, where they’re picking one player over another – in part, not because they necessarily think that player is better than another player, maybe because they have a personal relationship with the player … Invariably, if they just did it as a pure draft, guys would say, ‘Oh, I can’t believe such and such was selected before that player’…”
Unfortunately, this year will not be the year that we see who drafted who. Maybe next? We’re keeping our hopes high. Plus, televising the even would bring more revenue to the league, with advertisers and television partners.
It makes sense, but for God’s sake: #SHOWTHEDRAFT!
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