While it might balance the teams a little I have to ask, for what?1. This was what the league, players union and owners reported at the time. I doubt that they would all have all been lying.
2. A draft gives the opportunity to balance talent. For example, if the top 6 players are all in one conference. the draft would likely split them between the two teams.
Balance might mean something if there was some type of motivation to actually compete, but the mix and match rosters actually reduce competitive motivation imho. When players are playing "for the west" or "for the east" they have a certain bond and shared team identity. They are playing for and representing their conference. With the school yard pick the players are now playing for... LeBron? Durant? Who the **** cares if LeBron's team wins vs Durant? Was Gobert sitting there thinking "I'm gonna go get some rebounds for LeBron." I highly doubt it.
The NBA ASG was weak 20 years ago and it's just a complete joke now.
They need to fix the BS that is fan voting.
They need to make the game mean something to the players.
There should be some sort of consequence for winning or losing the game. If not then just end it. Have "all-star" be an honor given in title only and don't have the players play a meaningless mid-season exhibition game.