How did we get here?
This month opened with the Pro Bowl Games, which featured a flag football game with no helmets, pads or linemen, and relay races. The NHL All-Star Game was replaced by the new 4 Nations Face-Off, half composed of Nordic countries. The NBA All-Star Game is now a four-team mini-tournament, which could end with a no-name G-League or Rookie/Sophomore team in the main event.
There is no turning back. The All-Star Game is dead, its blood on countless hands.
The TV networks shoulder much of the blame, treating regular season inventory like liquid gold, and showcasing stars in more national telecasts than ever before.
