The easiest way to fix broken All-Star Games in professional sports is the same as the easiest way to fix a broken toilet: Throw money at the problem.

But what about more creative solutions that tug at the personal pride of some of the most competitive people on Earth?

An old debate was reignited in light of Nuggets head coach Mike Malone astutely calling the 2023 NBA All-Star Game “the worst basketball game ever played.” The highlights of uncontested 40-foot shots in transition paled in comparison to social-media highlights of the Kobe Bryant-Stephon Marbury late-game shootout in 2001, three shot-clock violations forced by defenses in the first quarter in 1993 and Rolando Blackman’s passion after forcing overtime at the buzzer in 1987.

How can All-Star games become more competitive — and watchable — in an era when avoiding injury in an exhibition game has become so important that giving maximum effort is rarely considered?