NBA great Scottie Pippen believes the All-Star game is doing "more harm than good" for the league after a flurry of points records fell amid farcical scenes in Indianapolis.
The stars on court again showed little interest in playing defence as the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211-186 on Monday (AEDT).
The all-offence display came after the NBA had declared it wanted more competition in the All-Star game, and has sparked debate around the world over the showcase event's relevance.
East captain Giannis Antetokounmpo declared players had "fun" as his Milwaukee Bucks teammate and All-Star MVP Damian Lillard drained 11 three-pointers in a personal tally of 39 points.
But seven-time All-Star Pippen, who won six championships with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, didn't take any enjoyment out of the uncompetitive match-up.
"I did not catch any of it and I think I did a good job," Pippen said at the National Basketball League finals launch on Tuesday in Melbourne, where he is acting an ambassador for the Australian competition.
"We've been seeing this for the last few years with the All-Star game and the importance of the game.
"It all falls back on the players and whether or not they want to compete.
"I heard one player say that they don't think anyone wants to be there, so maybe there's a time and a place for it.
"Maybe the players are making too much money, where they don't feel they can generate the energy and excitement in mid-season to go out and excite fans anymore.
"Maybe it's something that the league has to take a look at because it's doing more harm than good."
Plenty of records fell during the latest edition, with the total of 397 points smashing the record of 374 set in 2017.
The East made 42 three-pointers to break the mark of 35 set by Team LeBron in 2019, while the teams combined for 193 points in the first half to break the any-half record of 191 set last year.
The East tied an any-half record by scoring 104 points by the main break.
LeBron James gave an indication as to how he rates the importance of the All-Star game when he declared his major takeaway was the players' fitness.
"The good thing that came out of tonight is none of the players were injured," he said after his record-extending 20th All-Star game appearance.
"Everybody came out unscathed."
