Before the All-Star main game, a rookie challenge game was held.
The dunk contest and the three-point contest, which had always been there, were canceled.
Because the league felt these two competitions were becoming increasingly boring, failing to attract big-name players or viewers.
The disastrous effect of the 1997 dunk contest made the league determined to cancel these clown-like performances.
So, while Kobe won the 1997 dunk contest championship, even Kobe himself didn't consider it a remarkable honor.
Because the competition was not intense at all, the moves weren't impressive, lacked creativity, filled with mistakes and boredom, Kobe even later regretted participating in that dunk contest.
In the rookie game, Celtics center Ilgauskas won the MVP, becoming the first international MVP in the history of the NBA rookie game.
