As I settled in to enjoy the festivities of NBA All-Star weekend, a thought became more apparent as I observed each event unfold from Friday to Saturday, culminating in the grand finale and the game on Sunday. This weekend didn’t evoke the same excitement it once did, and there’s a need to address this issue so that viewers worldwide can relish what is meant to be a celebration of basketball.

When it comes to NBA All-Star Weekend, I find myself growing increasingly bored with the content presented during what used to be an exhilarating weekend for NBA fans from diverse backgrounds. Today, I’d like to propose a few ideas that could not only enhance NBA All-Star Weekend but also make it more meaningful for the players participating in the weekend’s festivities.

The first idea to rejuvenate All-Star Weekend is to make the events on Saturday night—the skills competition, the three-point contest, and the dunk contest—more enticing not just for fans but also for the players involved. The simple solution is money. We no longer see big names such as LeBron James, Luka Dončić, or Giannis Antetokounmpo participating in the dunk contest, a staple event not just in NBA All-Star history but in NBA history. To address this, incentivize prominent players to participate in the events on NBA Saturday Night by offering them a substantial bonus, creating an additional motivation beyond mere “glory.”

The second idea, to the credit of the NBA, stems from the Sabrina Ionescu and Stephen Curry 3-point showdown we witnessed at the recent NBA Saturday Night event. To perpetuate this iconic matchup between the WNBA and the NBA and to sustain interest in both leagues, let the winners of both the NBA 3-point competition and the WNBA 3-point competition battle it out. Offer them another bonus and a chance to donate to the charity of their choice.

The third idea to enhance NBA All-Star Weekend is to make the All-Star Game more meaningful. How? The answer is simple: borrow an idea from MLB that they should have retained. Transform the NBA All-Star Game into a competition for conference supremacy, determining which conference earns home-court advantage in the NBA Finals. Teams from either side would be more inclined to put in effort, play defense, and showcase their skills, realizing that, regardless of their regular-season standings during the All-Star break, they could be contending for the Larry O’Brien trophy in June.

Finally, a few honorable mentions that focus less on the NBA itself and more on league sponsors like Nike. There used to be an aura surrounding the uniforms, shoes, and merchandise during All-Star Weekend. Now, we’re fortunate to see just one item released that truly excites basketball and fashion enthusiasts. Bring back the special colorways of LeBron’s and KD’s, and let’s generate excitement and marketing around the uniforms these players will wear for one night only.

In conclusion, this article boils down to one simple thought: NBA All-Star Weekend needs to reclaim its aura before it’s too late, preventing fans from losing interest, much like what has happened with the NFL Pro Bowl—a story for another time.