Russell Westbrook offers the most compelling NBA All-Star captain option for entertainment and side story value.
Let’s face it the All-Star Game and weekend has become less exciting in the new generation of the NBA. During the Michael Jordan 80s and 90s era, super stars were often participants in the marquee events leading up to the Sunday main event. Imagine LeBron James entering the dunk competition not once, not twice, but three times.
That’s what Jordan did winning back-to-back dunk titles in 1987 and 1988. The latter featured one of the best ever battles between Dominique Wilkens and MJ. Consequently, Wilkins (another top star) competed in five dunk contests. Can you fathom a franchise star of Wilkins ilk doing that in this generation?
Three examples of modern era All-Star success:
Recent history has offered mostly yawn fests during All-Star weekend. The 2000 All-Star Game featured arguably the best of all worlds with Vince Carter’s historic slam dunk victory over heady competition provided from then teammate Tracy McGrady and (winner any other year) Steve Francis.
In 2001 by Allen Iverson’s heroics in the main event spearheading the East’s comeback victory erasing a 21-point deficit
Arguably the only successful modern era All-Star weekend occurred in 2016 at Toronto. At this event All-Star Saturday Night introduced the Bigs versus guards skills competition, the Warriors Splash Brothers 3-point battle and perhaps the most exciting dunk battle ever between Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon. In spite of that success however, the Sunday event was a snooze fest (not to mention record setting cold temperatures in the 6ix).
All-Star Game no longer competitive:
Last year’s main event featured a final score of 192 to182 with the West victorious. Clearly, three pointers and athleticism makes the game more offensive, but the Sunday game has become a mockery. Hence the best example of how much things have changed is highlighted by looking back to the 1987 match.
Oft cited as the best All-Star game ever. At least, Leigh Ellis of the NBA TV Starters program sure thinks so. Ellis repeatedly has shown Rolando Blackman’s end game free throws which send the match to overtime. Those were the days when the players didn’t view the Sunday event as a showcase. Rather, they approached the match as competitively as they did regular games.
One reason may be salaries of the old versus modern era. With contracts paling in comparison to the gargantuan pay cheques in those days, winning equaled a bigger pay day. Still, the competitiveness of the older era has all but disappeared.
Schoolyard pick re-model:
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To address the issue, which the players and league both agree exists, an attempt to spark competition is being implemented. This year the top vote recipients from each conference will be assigned captaincy. The captains will select their teams from the other players voted by fans and coaches. Subsequently. the hope is this re-model will ignite the competitive spirit of the players and be reflected on court.
Hence, there are a myriad of variables this new format poses. First of all, the immediate thought was I sure hope NBA TV does the selection like a school yard pick. Can you imagine the 2 captains being on air during TNT Thursday having to pick each player one at a time? Imagine the effect it would have on the player who got selected last!
Why Russell Westbrook has to be the West’s captain:
My next thought was – Russell Westbrook needs to be the West’s captain since it will afford all kinds of fun drama. Pundits could spin copious narratives trying to gauge who Russell Westbrook would avoid. For example:
- Would Russell Westbrook avoid picking any Warriors?
- And presuming LeBron James wins the East’s captaincy would that translate into whichever Warriors make the team being the last men standing?
- Forced at some point to have to pick a Warrior would Russ pick Steph Curry, Draymond (kiwi kicking) Green or his cold war nemesis Kevin Durant?
- The prospect of the Warriors being subjected to this experience is just so enticing. Picture in your head the nerdy glasses wearing kid kicking the sand as he stands awaiting selection. Then extrapolate that to Curry, Green and Durant. Yes, the talent laden Warriors are the envy of the NBA, but the potential for this occurring has me giddy.
- If Carmelo Anthony makes the team would LeBron and Russ get into a battle over his selection? Logically, James would want his banana boat buddy and Westbrook would want his teammate.
- With the Rockets slated to be the Thunder’s primary competition for an upper echelon seed would Westbrook ignore that fact to add James Harden or Chris Paul to his team?
- Yes, the Spurs will be in the mix like the Rockets, but the man of no words (Kawhi Leonard) is too well respected by his peers not to be a coveted selection by both sides.
- Kyrie Irving is a sure bet to make the All-Star team. So, if Russ wants to annoy James he could also keep Irving standing with those Warriors.
- With CP3 now a Rocket, will the notoriously disliked Clips narrative dissipate making Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan more appealing to both sides?
The bottom line is making Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant the top vote recipient would likely result in a Warriors heavy West team. And, that’s all fine and well, but don’t you want a little drama off the court as well as on it? Making Russell Westbrook the captain would achieve that. Russell Westbrook is the only 2-time consecutive All-Star MVP and the reigning regular season MVP, so the resume is there to warrant the selection.
Furthermore, if Russell Westbrook is captain, he can send the other side a pre-game meal — of cupcakes.