I think the reality is that the players that play in the All-Star game do get a big boost. For a player like Kevin Love on a bad team how do you measure his success? One way is by hom many All-Stat games he has been in. Players talk about it all the time, it is the recognition. It raises your profile. It certainly adds to teams merchandising. It certainly adds to the players fame. They are more likely to get respect from teammates, coaches, opponents and especially important referees. We all know that no matter what they do Kobe or LeBron will never get called for a travel or a charge.
Think about an 82 game season. How much do players learn from 10 games against Sacramento, Golden State etc? While the All-Star game itself is a bit of a farce, just being in the environment with all the best in the league, facing a massive media scrum, talking with the stars, sharing jokes, opinions or even secrets. This is a MASSIVE learning experience.
So I agree with the idea that it should give an experience boost. But not a small one like people said. I think it should be a serious boost more than playing in a NT game or a playoff game.
To be honest I don't know how experience works. I don't see that many players on the TL with experience that high. I would have assumed you should be able to get at least one experience pop per season, but it often doesn't look like it. I just did a quick search for players aged 38+ (who could have played 20 seasons) and the best was 2 x marvellous, 2 x tremendous and then several sensational. Closer to a pop every two seasons.
Last edited by yodabig at 10/19/2012 7:14:33 PM