Former U.S. President Barack Obama has revealed his frustrations as he asserted that the play at NBA All-Star Games in recent times has been an “insult” to the sport.

The approach of those involved in the prestigious annual spectacle has been the subject of significant discourse since its last edition back in February. On that occasion, the the East saw out a 211-186 victory over the West as the league’s 24 foremost players faced off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

With the Milwaukee Bucks‘ Damian Lillard earning the MVP honors in Indianapolis, the game also saw a new record set in terms of total points scored on the night with with 397. However, Obama is among those who felt that the commitment of the players during the clash had been questionable.

Sitting down for a frank discussion with Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, the politician scolded the player during his recent appearance on “Young Man and the Three“. Not holding back, he told the host: “Y’all gotta have a little more pride in that All-Star Game.

“It’s not as if you all don’t play pickup during the summers, the former president continued,” as he criticized the perceived lack of commitment from stars. “You know how to play in a way that, ‘alright, I’m not going to hurt anybody, I’m not going to take anybody out,’ but that All-Star Game, it’s broke, man.

Praising stars of the past, Obama added: “Like, people just like not running. Everybody just trying all kinds of… it used to be when Kobe [Bryant] and Michael [Jordan] and Isaiah [Thomas] and those guys were playing, man. I mean they weren’t playing the way they did regular season, but they wanted to win.”

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Barack Obama made his feelings known during his conversation with Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers

Barack Obama made his feelings known during his conversation with Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers ( 

Image:

Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Haliburton hit back by admitting the conversation felt like he was speaking with his “pops”, before Obama responded, saying: “It insults the game,” before going on to say: “This is your business. This is your product. You don’t want people thinking you’re all out there just half-[…].”

Taking to the comments, one fan agreed with the politician, saying: “Good on Barack for saying that right to his face, he is completely right as well the players treat the game like a joke,” while a second chimed in saying: “Obama’s not holding back, huh? Guess even he can’t ignore how the All-Star Game’s turned into a glorified exhibition. Tyrese better step up his game, too!”

Meanwhile, a third offered: “He’s 100% correct. All Star game is embarrassing and the new faces of the league couldn’t care less about it, with a fourth commenter remarking: “I did not support his political career at all but honestly if Obama were to start a basketball-themed podcast I would at least give him a courtesy episode listen based on this interview. He did not tell one lie.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver previously addressed the criticism from viewers, admitting that the standing of the All Star game had diminished somewhat. He told ESPN: “We’re sending mixed signals. And if we want guys to treat this like a real game … we have to treat it that way.”