Is it true that nobody cares?

Over the course of the last few weekends, viewers (both in person and on television) have been treated with the NFL's Pro Bowl and NBA All-Star Game respectively. What we as sports fans are constantly being told is that these types of games have lost their luster and nobody really cares about them anymore. But is that true? Or is it that the mainstream sports media doesn't quite care and they want us to follow suit?

This year, the NFL decided to move the Pro Bowl to the weekend before the Super Bowl, making valuable use of that extra non-football weekend prior to the big game. The result? The most viewers ever, on TV, for the event. Hmmm, sounds like someone cares. Further, when the announcement was made, there were detractors that were up in arms regarding "what will happen to players that are on the Pro Bowl team that made the Super Bowl and cannot play?!?!?" Naturally, my cynical response is, "nobody cares." But people cared and it sparked the debate.

Last night, the NBA made a brilliant move and brought their showcase game to Dallas. David Stern, marketing wiz one-upped himself last night but having the game be played at the new Cowboys Stadium in front of 108,000+ fans. Sure there's no defense but that's typical Western Conference hoops nowadays. But w/108k in attendance, can you really say that nobody cares? Let's not forget the viewers at home. If only the half-time "entertainment" lived up to the excitement that the game (and the whole weekend minus the HORSE competition), provided.

I find there are two types of fans that will enjoy the "All-Star" game of any sport with no pre-conditions: the die hard fans and the younger fans. For the die-hards, you're watching to see the best of the best and you just want more of the game you love. For younger fans, it brings you closer to the best players in the sport and showcases all of them in one place. No defense? No problem. Haven't we been force-fed that it's not defense that sells, it's offense? If that's the selling point, look at the ridiculous scores of these "defense-less" games...