The NBA could revert to the East vs. West format for the All-Star Game, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets.
The annual event had been a competition between the two conferences from its inception in 1951 through the 2017 season. Over the past six seasons, the league has used a player draft to determine the teams.
That could be among several changes as the NBA looks to increase the competition level of the league’s showcase event, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic tweets.
The All-Star Game has essentially turned into a glorified offensive exhibition. The winning team in the last two All-Star conference matchups exceeded 190 points. The league adopted a “target score” concept in fourth quarters to prevent an even higher total in recent years but the 2023 All-Star Game still wound up with a 184-175 score, with Team Giannis defeating Team LeBron.
The NBA and Players Association agreed in recent months to discuss ways to improve the All-Star Game as part of the new collective bargaining agreement. It has also been topic of discussion at recent Board of Governors and GM meetings.
The changes they are looking to implement could occur as soon as next season’s All-Star Game, which will be held in Indianapolis in February.
Instead of revamping the All-Star game, just put it out of its misery. We already have the Olympics, who tf cares about this anymore outside of rappers?
The current format isn’t working. It simply isn’t a competitive game. Maybe some kind of 3 on 3 tournament?
It was never a problem when players weren’t divas and actually tried, everybody loved the game then. In Kobe’s last healthy all star game when he D’d up lebron multiple times at the end and LeBron didn’t reciprocate, spoke a lot about the difference in generations. Shaq and Yao used to have some nice battles too.
Definitely would like a return to this format.
It’s a marketing event for the league. Let’s not overcomplicate it.
East vs West works better, because ultimately fans want to root for their team, not have their players mixed and matched between team captains that makes no logical sense.
I wish they would let each team have a rep for 3 pt contest and dunk contest, as well and simplify/speed up those contests, as well …like back in the 80s when they did split screen and 2 players competing at once, each on their own side of half court.
East vs west was always had a weird tribal element… No one really belonged and no one was truly a fan…
The draft is more entertaining than the All Star game most years… Even when it was East vs West…
They tried dangling money, that worked for one year… Ultimately the players have to want to put on a show…
The draft sucks and no one cares about it. East vs West at least allows you to know who to cheer for (and depending on interests, buy jerseys). I’m tired of the current ASG, it was an abysmal failure.
Ditch the game entirely
The East-West concept is certainly better, but it won’t help the problem. The real issue is the showboating, mugging players, the darlings of social media. I’m old enough (everyone groan…that’s it) to remember the games with Havlicek, Hayes, Thurmond, Wilt, etc. They were competitive. They played to win and they played for pride. Pride is a lost concept now. I guess they could try East vs. West for two or three years. If it doesn’t work, just dump the thing altogether.
An in season, 12 game tournament is definitely the way to garner more interest. 16 teams, 15 players per team. High scorer from each team in each game earns “rest” in following games until a 13th “championship/super all star game” is played, where players earn a share of $5,000,000 based on points scored.
Games held in various arenas around the league, with a minimum of 6 days off between games for travel.
Or, only players who have won a championship, MVP, DPOY, and Finals MVP qualify. And play it between the conference finals and Finals. Ask the NFL, it’ll be huge.
Yes East vs West …. Keep it simple.
And extend the rosters to 15 each team.
“Finally, an all-star game that was a defensive battle! Thank goodness, that’s what I wanted to see!”
– said nobody ever
Thank god the current ASG is amazing!
~ No one ever
The NBA needs to stop with the game, and arena.
Book the NBA convention in Las Vegas, invite all their celebrity friends, drink, gamble, make backroom handshake deals.
This seems more what the players, and owners would want. Cheaper too without fans to plan for.
Because playing basketball is not what the All-Star weekend is about. Its about players marketing themselves to a concentrated group of investor/buyers.
Also some players look at it as a week off during a long season. No fans is a lot more peaceful, and easier environment for business.
Current format is like some backyard birthday party neighborhood kids picking their best friends. Haven’t watched the all star game since…
The gimmick I think could work is like a best-of-seven series of games going to 24. If you give them a target score in almost a pickup game like format then guys will play harder
Name the all stars, and do the events, dunk contest, and 3pt/celebrity game opening day. Then do a single game elimination tournament involving all teams over 3 days. After that take a full week off. That would prob be the most ideal solution.