The NBA vs. apathy, plus Stolz makes it two

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Good morning! Hey now. You’re an all-star. Today:

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Hoops: The NBA’s crises of caring

As NBA All-Stars gather this weekend here in Los Angeles, the two biggest conversations around the league (arguably other than the trade deadline) have been:

1. Tanking is getting worse. Or, at least, it’s getting harder to ignore.
2. All-Star Weekend is getting yet another makeover, because nothing the league has tried the past handful of years has been able to hold people’s attention.

Those topics are really one big issue, though, and it’s this: How do you get teams and players to take everything the league does seriously? The NBA has not found a good enough answer.

NBA teams have tanked for many years, in many different forms. There’s a nebulous line between a rebuild and overt disrespect for the game and the fans, and a lot of teams are really pushing that line lately (see: the Jazz, as we also mentioned earlier this week). A big chunk of the league looks poised to just not try down the stretch, including slow-walking the return of injured stars. Meanwhile, the NBA wants fans to buy tickets to watch these teams.

All-Star Weekend is a different beast, as an ASG isn’t supposed to be as competitive as the actual season. But the game isn’t interesting if the players don’t care, and too often, they haven’t. The game feels like a scrimmage. Last night’s dunk contest at least had only NBA players in it, but nobody with broad recognition. (Congrats to Keshad Johnson on winning it.)

The NBA has overhauled this weekend’s format several times recently. (Remember when captains drafted teams? Or when TV hosts did it?) Last night, there was no more Skills Challenge, and the old “Shooting Stars” jumper exhibition returned after 11 years away. For the actual game (5:30 p.m. ET, NBC), the league is going with a USA vs. World format, featuring three squads playing a round-robin. A version of this has worked well for the NHL, though it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison.

I put both of these issues to Zach Harper, author of our free NBA newsletter, The Bounce. First, will this international format work? What does “working” even mean? 

💬 Remember when they implemented the Elam Ending a few years ago and it was a phenomenal first ASG with it? Yeah, that didn’t hold up at all, even though it was a solid idea. I would expect this to work today, and we’ll hear lauding of the new format. But apathy is a tough stain to get out. Ultimately, it’ll only come down to this new generation of stars caring, regardless of format.

As important as getting All-Star weekend is, it’s not as existential for the league as tanking. What about that? I asked Zach if he’d put on his commissioner’s cap:

💬 I believe tanking can be solved by de-incentivizing losing. Unweight the lottery and include the first-round losers with the teams that don’t make the playoffs so there’s a 1-in-22 shot of winning it? I don’t know. But the penalties are not nearly harsh enough to deter teams right now.

Actual NBA commissioner Adam Silver said yesterday that “every possible remedy is on the table.” This one isn’t just about the players caring. It’s about front offices, too. Food for thought!

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News to Know

Stolz wins his second gold

While things haven’t gone to plan for some Team USA stars (see especially: Malinin, Vonn), these Games have been a coronation for 21-year-old Jordan Stolz, who set another Olympic record yesterday and joined fellow Wisconsin native Eric Heiden as the only men to win the 500 and 1,000 meters in one Olympics. Adorably, he’s sleeping next to his medals — and he may have to make room in his bed for more, with the 1,500 meters and mass start events still to come. In other Games news:

• Lucas Pinheiro Braathen became the first South American gold medalist in Winter Olympics history with his dramatic victory in the giant slalom. It’s a great story. Also: Brazil somehow has more golds right now than Canada. (Medals table here.)
• Canadian women’s hockey GOAT Marie-Philip Poulin returned from injury to score in a quarterfinal win over Germany and tie an Olympic record. Semis are Monday.
• China freestyle skier Eileen Gu said the Olympic schedule is “really unfair” because of a conflict between Monday’s big air final and halfpipe practice. More here.

More news:

• One NBA All-Star event that didn’t disappoint was the 3-point contest, in which Damian Lillard — despite having not played a game this season — edged Devin Booker for his record-tying third crown.
• An eventful day of men’s hoops saw visiting Texas Tech shock No. 1 Arizona in OT and included a full-on melee between St. John’s and Providence and a game delayed by a popcorn machine fire.
• On the women’s side, No. 3 South Carolina made it 18 straight wins against No. 6 LSU as the selection committee released the season’s first top 16.
• A new lawsuit challenges President Trump’s planned conversion of East Potomac Park’s public golf course into a championship-level course. Full story here.
• Veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos has found a new home after his ugly split with Philadelphia, agreeing to sign with San Diego — which might play him at first base.
• Australian tennis player Destanee Aiava had extremely strong words for the tennis community in announcing her retirement. Read them here.
• The Raiders promoted assistant Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator.

📰 Find more news here 24/7.

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Watch Guide

📺 Olympics: Gold Zone
8 a.m. ET on Peacock
A good day for the whiparound coverage. We’ve got a range of medal events coming up this morning and early afternoon in snowboarding, biathlon, speed skating, skeleton and ski jumping. There’s also U.S. men’s hockey versus Germany, which has one of the best players in the world in Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, at 3:10 p.m. ET on USA. Full schedule here.

📺 NASCAR: Daytona 500
1:30 p.m. ET on Fox
Note that NASCAR moved the race up one hour in anticipation of bad weather later in the day. In addition to everything else this race represents, it’s the Cup Series debut of 19-year-old prodigy Connor Zilisch. He still lives with his parents and has limitless potential. Somehow, though, it’s only the fourth-most anticipated race of the year. Full ranking here

Get tickets to games like this here.

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Pulse Picks

WNBA star Angel Reese is big business, manifesting a busy life on and off the court as she establishes herself as a multi-hyphenate. Shakeia Taylor has more details.

My friend and chocolatier Zac of Zac’s Sweet Shop recently came out with cake batter crunch dessert cereal. There are three boxes on my counter. I’m obsessed. — Lauren Merola

It’s true: Presidents’ Day weekend is one of the best times of the year to upgrade your mattress, pillows and other sleep gear. I and my fellow deals-hunters at Wirecutter have weeded through all the duds to find only the best deals on expert-approved picks, including a dreamy comforter and very luxurious sheets. — Kaitlin Mahar

Liga MX Femenil forward Aerial Chavarin ended 2025 as the highest-scoring American woman in the world but does not appear to have USWNT hopes. She’s fine with that.

I bought a hand massager and cannot believe how nice it feels. Especially if you’re typing all day, it’s a necessary break away from the keyboard. Liked it so much I sent one to my dad. — Zach Harper

Suspended over the ice by four retractable wires, the “Spidercam” is reinventing the way fans watch hockey at the Winter Olympics.

I’m fortunate to know the members of Ratboys, the nicest band in rock ‘n’ roll and a damn good one, too. Their new album, “Singin’ to an Empty Chair” was released last week and received “Best New Music” status from Pitchfork. Buy it on Bandcamp and support good people doing cool things. — Alex Iniguez

The Rockies are trying something new: signing starters who want to pitch at Coors Field. Let Sam Blum explain.

On this week’s episode of “The Athletic Show,” senior writer Rustin Dodd and world-class coach Matt Hetherington stop by to explain why ping-pong is the ultimate “brain sport.” Stream it on Fire TV, The Athletic app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: The cursing curler. 🤬

📫 That’s all for now! Say hello at thepulse@theathletic.com, and check out our other newsletters.