The NBA is considering another format change for this season’s All-Star Game, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. At a news conference prior to Saturday’s game in Mexico City, commissioner Adam Silver told reporters that Warriors star Stephen Curry has been involved in discussions about the Feb. 16 showcase in San Francisco.
“We’ve had direct conversations with Steph Curry — it’s a home game for him,” Silver said. “I know he’s very prideful and wants to make sure that the players put their best foot forward, so we’re looking at other formats. I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans.”
Last season’s contest in Indianapolis was universally panned for its lack of defense and abundance of long three-point shots. The East defeated the West 211-186 in a listless affair despite a plea from league executive Joe Dumars to take the game seriously and put forth a better effort.
Creating a watchable All-Star Game has been an issue for the NBA for several years. In an effort to spark interest, the league switched its traditional East vs. West format in 2018 to have the top two vote-getters draft the players for each team. The “Elam Ending” was adopted in 2020 to give the game a different feel and ensure more exciting finishes.
However, none of the changes really resonated with the public, and the league returned to the East-West matchup last season with regular NBA rules.
“I think we all did what we thought we could, thinking we would particularly — in Indiana, sort of the heartland of basketball, somehow we would give it the college try, and we’d see a more competitive game,” Silver said. “I think, even if we could turn the clock back and get a bit more of a competitive game, even if it was more of a standard NBA game, I think fans would want more.”
The best-received part of last season’s All-Star Weekend was a Saturday night shooting contest between Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu. Although it hasn’t been formally announced, Silver said the plan is for them to have a rematch in San Francisco.
“If we can get more participation, not just for the physical activity but for all the values it represents,” that’s what the NBA wants, Silver said. “And I think showcasing those kinds of activities where you see men and women both competing in basketball at All-Star events should increasingly become a big part of it. And incidentally when you look at the interest in terms of viewership last year, one of the highlights was that Sabrina-Steph shootout, so we do want to do more of that.”
Silver also touched on the issue of expansion, saying the league continues to study the matter but nothing should be considered imminent, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. Seattle and Las Vegas are widely viewed as the front-runners for new teams, but Silver said Mexico City is among the locations under consideration.
“Nothing’s been set, and we haven’t even determined whether to expand yet,” he added. “My sense is that if we expanded, we’d do an even number, because then we might have to do some adjustments in the conferences. But I think it makes sense to have two conferences of 16 teams if we were to do it. There have been times in the past in the NBA when we had an odd number, so it’s possible. But I think we most likely, if we were to expand, would look to expand to two cities.”
Just stop playing the stupid game. Just have the other nonsense stuff instead.
Disband the entire league. It’s already unwatchable.
Why are you commenting this stupid league?
I def liked the Captain-draft format. Didn’t love the Elam ending but it did make the game better so I’ll take it. I feel like the NBA gave up on these things too soon. Consistency builds fans.
Getting rid of the game entirely isn’t the worst idea though. They could do a rookie game or a HOF game or something else that actually has a unique appeal.
I think all star games are a thing of the past in all sports. It made sense in 1995 because it was my only chance to see premiere players from other parts of the country. Now I just use the internet for that.
Ditto on all this. I liked the drafting of teams as opposed to East versus West. That was getting old after 40 years lol.
One thought, have they considered USA versus the world? That would be cool, or has it been nixed already? That could be one way to get the guys to really play.
That last line is the most important…
That was the main attraction in the past… It didn’t matter if the game was crap you got to see players that you don’t normally get a chance to…
3 pt shooting contest should be the 3 best NBA players shooters against the best 3 WNBA shooters players. A good way to show the world how far basketball has improved.
The All-Star game is unfixable. Nobody wants to play. Just vote the All-Stars, but don’t have a game. Keep the contests etc and maybe one or two new contests.
Honestly just can the game and replace it with a 3v3 tourney already.
I like this idea too. I think it would be cool to watch. Could be teammates or draft kind of thing one big man, one wing, one guard. But I like change so I’d be all over this.
How about a flopping contest?
The NBA already has that…
It’s called a Lakers vs Warriors contest…
And even more specifically, a LeBron versus Draymond contest.
The All Star game is a relic of bygone times when games were not televised at even one tenth the level they are today. People can see their favorite players anytime they want and this artificial environment is just not interesting any longer.
How about my extremely popular with all but Adam it seems with a 10 foot and in first quarter. 11 to 22 2nd quarter. Only 3’s in the third quarter.
The first team to score 35 you gotta win by 2 fourth.
The first 3 are for bragging rights. The fourth is the game.
Think of it as a blend of the skills competion and the game.
USA vs The World? That could generate some interest.
Yes I thought of this in my reply above. I think that would get the guys to play.
The world wants to show they’ve come a long way and USA wants to prove they’re still the king. I think guys would at least try in that game.
Won’t happen because the USA can’t compete…
That would have been a good idea decades ago. The rest of the world has caught up to the US too much for this to make sense any more.
Adam Silver is ruining the NBA! David Stern did a way better job as commissioner.
Lol. David Stern was the result of Magic, Larry, and Michael.
Silver’s doing a pretty good job. He’s pushed Global and the league has made a ton of money. And that’s basically the bottom line and focus of his job.
Minor issues like the All-Star Game mean little. But I like that he’s addressing the issue. As I said he’s doing fine.
Step 1: move it to the offseason, maybe a week before preseason, use it to hype up the upcoming season, can talk about player movement, upcoming narratives, use it as a preamble for the new year
Step 2: make it USA vs rest of the world
= massive improvement over what it currently is
Preseason no. Guys will get hurt because they’re not in shape yet. Bad idea.
USA versus the world is a GREAT idea !!! I think that is a winner. Pride will take over and both sides will be out to prove something. I think that would be fascinating.
“Not in shape yet”? What does this mean? Gary, did you forget its 2024, not 1979 again? Like 99% of NBA players are ready to ball 365. I love that part, also note its not in the middle of the offseason, make it the week before preseason starts, so they can talk about all the upcoming season. Make it a “season preview” game for the league to hype the upcoming season.
Since guys are complaining that the off-season is too short, I doubt many of the stars (who, coincidentally, are the ones talking about the off-season being too short..) are going to show up for a glorified dunk and 3 point distance shooting contest.
I’m not sure there’s any incentive that can realistically be offered to get these guys to care. Especially in the age of Load Management where they can’t be bothered to suit up for regular season games.
Move the NBA Cup to all star weekend and replace the all star game with the final game
This… is actually kind of cool.
East vs West ……. That is what the NBA is.
This is a no brainer.
Please stop watching the game. And don’t come here anymore. If you don’t watch or like it. Why are you here. Half the posters here only jealous of the money they make. I don’t understand living to hate on others.
I’m not hating on others. Have you watched the game lately Al? It’s like a game of 12-year-olds down at the park. There’s no defense it’s just lay up lines.
I think we need to mix it up a little and I think USA versus the world would be fantastic or even as the other guy says, play the NBA Cup game final that day. Something. Who’s hating?
Don’t come here anymore? Wow Al, seriously? I think most of us here treat you and your comments with respect and I personally enjoy reading what you write. I think your viewpoints and thoughts on different subjects concerning the NBA are great. It’s just the All-Star game has lost a little flavor. Nothing wrong with voicing that in my opinion.
Adam Silver should consult with one Jackie Moon.
Mr. Moon knows hoops having invented the alley-oop and wrestled with a bear at a halftime show.
3 point shots makes it boring.Chuck the 3 point line,make 3 points from logo,5 points from half court.Any shot with assist 3 points.Count points for defense,block 2 points,steal 2 points,rebound 1 point for defending team.All players will be involved,not like watching just Steph or KAT shooting all night long
East vs West doesn’t make the players care…
Neither will USA vs the World…
Donating to charities didn’t, captains picking squads didn’t…
The only thing that made the All Star game great was the Elam ending the year it was introduced for Kobe…
The lack of passion in the All Star game is what makes it boring… It’s like watching an NBA pregame shoot around without warm up suits…
The players just don’t care for it… Not getting injured is far more important…
USA vs the World is a good start. Have to be done right .
Extend the all star festivities to 10 days.
The American all stars vs The World all stars. If you became an American citizen. You can play for either team.
So if you have 9 players from other countries as all stars. They would need three more players. To make a 12 man roster.
Fans can vote that in. After selecting all stars first.
The American team would already have 12 players. I guess you can go by fans vote numbers here.
Sunday you play USA -vs- The World.
2-3 days later you play East -vs- West all star gm.
So we get two all star games.
why bother having an all star game at all in any sport at all except for baseball?
USA vs The World…
The only way to go to make the All-Star Game interesting.
If the USA loses (OMG!!!)…. come back and do it again in ‘26 and get it back!
Put Joel on the World team – that way the USA has an advantage! ;)
Time to end the debate and have the current 15 best NBA’ers take on the ’92 dream team (plus whichever 3 foreigners from that era they can find).
Next year match Jordan’s 72 win Bulls against the GSW 73 win squad.
After that the all time WNBA bunch against Doc Rivers-led expansion Mexico City team.
Would rather watch each team having their own 3 point contest than an all-star game with barrages of uncontested shots…why doesn’t Steph and Caitlin take part in the 3 point contest with the other players?
Having them one v one seems very gimmicky… would love to see Hawkins from the Pels or Grady from the Raptors or better yet Klay kick both of their butts
No three pointers.
I like your ideas albundy..
After reading this I am imagining a game with mixed teams filled with past legends, current players and WNBA players…with plenty of uncontested layups