The All-Star Weekend to attract the attention of fans is a painstaking effort.
In the slam dunk contest held first, the league introduced a big wheel system.
Before each dunk, players spin a wheel, like a lottery draw, to determine what kind of dunk they must perform.
The wheel is labeled with classic moves from past dunk contests, with a screen in the middle for players to imitate.
However, this nostalgic game mode was criticized by players and spectators.
Because this competition mode restricts players' creativity. If someone has done the move before, why should I do it again? Why should the audience watch it again?
As the best basketball game in the world, with the best players participating in the dunk contest, they should showcase the newest and most spectacular moves, which is what fans anticipate from the dunk contest.
The league office apparently overestimated fans' willingness to consume classics and nostalgia. In fact, many in the cultural and sports industries make this mistake.
They use people's nostalgia for the past as a selling point, trying to have it both ways and sell nostalgia again.
But nostalgia is just nostalgia. It's okay to reminisce, but it's not right to try selling it again.
While some people are willing to buy it, most consumers, especially new ones, are reluctant to pay for it.
People still prefer new things, creative things. Isn't it better to watch the past for free at home?
The NBA has done similar operations many times, like organizing old star matches and setting up retrospectives on TV, all with little response.
In sports competitions, once it loses its immediacy, knowing the outcome means there's no longer the passionate, anxious waiting. No matter how fierce or exciting the game was, most people lack the patience to rewatch it; occasionally reviewing a segment is enough.
This time, the league made the same mistake with the dunk contest, too obsessed with so-called classics, which neither fans nor players accept.
As a spectator, Gan Guoyang watched the entire dunk contest live and deeply felt what yesterday is irretrievable.
He also set his sights on the present and future, never indulging in past glories.
In the end, Warriors guard Jason Richardson won the dunk contest championship with a twisted between-the-legs dunk.
Still, in terms of the beauty and grace of a between-the-legs dunk, no one can compare with Vince Carter in 2000.
In the three-point contest, Stojakovic won the championship, and the Serbian shooter showcased his superb shooting skills to the people.
In the rookie challenge, Gan Guoyang also met old coach Jack Ramsay, who was invited to be the head coach of the West Team, taking the youngsters for a bit of fun and a casual walk-through.
Seeing Gan Guoyang, Ramsay was very excited, came over to hug him, and said: "Sonny, you're not really planning to play until you're 50, are you?"
Gan Guoyang replied: "I don't know coach, you always said I should play till 50 back then. Damn it, if I hold out for 12 more years, that's 50."
Ramsay's hair had all fallen out, making him appear more kind and gentle than before, no longer the hunched vulture on the sidelines.
When coaching the Trail Blazers, Ramsay always joked with Gan Guoyang, saying that with his physique, he could play until 50.
Looking at him now, 40 doesn't seem like a problem.
"I probably won't be around then," Ramsay said somewhat sadly.
"What are you talking about, Jack? You could be coaching then! I still want to play for you."
Ramsay was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999, and although this cancer is relatively treatable, it shows Ramsay's body had a cancer risk.
Ramsay is a man of strong will. He actively treated and successfully recovered, immediately returning to commentary work, not missing any games he was responsible for over nearly three seasons.
For Gan Guoyang's comfort, Ramsay smiled and patted him, saying: "Sonny, win another championship. Honestly, sometimes I really don't understand the young people today, maybe I'm just too old. Although when I'm commentating, I say I want to keep up with the trends, praising everyone. But deep inside, I really hope you win another championship, to show those young punks, our generation isn't dead, not yet!"
Gan Guoyang nodded and said: "I'll try my best. As long as I'm on the court, my goal is pointed at the championship. Even if I'm slower than before, don't jump as high, I'll still move in that direction. Otherwise, what's the point of staying here, just to pad my stats?"
"Yes, that's right, don't give up, never give up."
"You too, Jack, never give up."
Soon, Jack Ramsay was diagnosed with melanoma, this cancer is much more malignant, but he still actively treated, enduring for more than a decade, living up to 90 years.
By then, he finally witnessed Gan Guoyang's retirement firsthand.
After the dunk contest and rookie challenge, on February 10th, on the day of the All-Star Game, at the Philadelphia First United Center.
During the pre-game activities, players gathered to take portrait photos in their home and away jerseys.
This was the last time the NBA All-Star Game used the format of wearing home and away jerseys.
Afterward, the NBA reverted to custom unified All-Star Game jerseys.
Because some new fans watching the All-Star Game were confused, unable to understand who was on the same team as who, and why did they wear such diverse colors?