Jazz alum speaks out against NBA's potential All-Star game changes
By Matt John
The Utah Jazz may or may not see much representation during the All-Star game this season. If they do, they might see a few changes compared to previous All-Star games. ESPN's Shams Charania revealed the latest on how the All-Star game might change.
New, four-team tournament for the 2025 All-Star game would consist of three teams of eight All-Stars each and the winner of the Rising Stars game, sources said. League officials discussed the concepts in a Competition Committee meeting on Friday. https://t.co/Yustl2bOi5
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 15, 2024
Jazz alum Olden Polynice is not a fan of these potential changes. He explained why he believes the real changes the NBA has to make.
Dear @NBA you don’t need to change the All Star game format . There was a time when players appreciated and respected being selected. Players just need to put a little effort and stop disrespecting the game and THE GAME…
— Olden Polynice (@OldenPolynice1) November 15, 2024
Polynice played in the NBA from 1987 to 2004, but he never made the All-Star team in that time. In fact, he never even came close. However, he has a point that back in his day, the All-Star game meant something in that players used to put actual effort in when they played. A lot has changed since the 80s and 90s.
Over time, it has become less meaningful because players don't want to risk injury in a game that, despite its prestige, doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things. Polynice is right that the issue is not so much that the game needs to be changed as much as it is that the players need to play like they care.
The fans paid a good price to watch the NBA's very best go up against each other. It makes sense that the players don't want to get hurt, but it's a shame to see such an honor as making the All-Star team not really mean anything.
Sadly, no one can make the players put genuine effort into a game like this. The way NBA contracts work, some players get incentives to make the All-Star team rather than put forth their best effort to play in it. Hence, all of these discussions for some changes.
Olden Polynice's time with the Jazz
Polynice played for the Jazz from 1999 to 2001, as he was their starting center on two playoff teams. He experienced his most playoff success with the Jazz, having played 15 playoff games in total for them.
Polynice is not the most esteemed Jazz alum. It goes without saying that he's nowhere close to the likes of Rudy Gobert. In fact, his reputation may not even compare to Jae Crowder or Dante Exum, though it's debatable.
But for what the Jazz asked of Polynice, he did his job. He may not have been a star, but he was a respected center at his peak, averaging a double-double in multiple seasons. Even if that wasn't with the Jazz, they clearly trusted him enough to start at center for multiple playoff teams as he was approaching the end of his rope in the NBA.
Technically, they weren't his last NBA team, as he played two games for the Clippers during the 2003-04 season, but Polynice was not some stiff. That's why his recent words on the All-Star game got plenty of attention, even if he wasn't a star.
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