NBA fans have mixed feelings on league's new All-Star Game format
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“Fixing” the NBA All-Star Game under the current format, and during this era, is not possible. Players are plainly not interested in putting forth a worthwhile defensive effort in the annual February exhibition game, forcing fans to either temporarily adjust their viewing expectations or just refuse to watch. The league is perfectly aware of the dilemma facing the gathering of greats and likely knows that actual change is unattainable unless it is willing to attach some sort of financial incentive.
Consequently, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and others are hoping that a shake-up can at least generate some added buzz. A four-team All-Star Game tournament is being discussed for 2025 and will consist of eight players each. 24 All-Stars will be broken into three squads, and the winner of the Rising Stars challenge will serve as the fourth squad. The hoops-watching public is split on this potential makeover.
“Enough with the tournaments,” one fan posted on X, hours before the next slate of NBA Cup games is set to begin. “It does not change anything,” another individual opined. “You just split 1 boring game into more boring games.”
The opposing viewpoint contends that the inclusion of rookies and up-and-coming talents might actually ramp up competition. If there are no dollar figures to compel NBA veterans to hustle back on defense, maybe pride will do the trick. “Having the rising stars winners is a W,” a popular NBA content creator said.
What effect will Rising Stars have on NBA All-Star Game?
“Ahhhh including rising star winners…. the all stars are gonna try because they won't want to lose against them and obviously the rising stars are going to try,” one proponent of the new format posted. “A competitive all star game. Smart, Adam Silver.” Future Legends like LeBron James and Stephen Curry have nothing left to prove, but they still might take exception to being outclassed by a bunch of youngsters.
This alteration may not provide a simple solution, however. If a motivated All-Star squad does topple the Rising Stars, who is to say they will not just coast during the final round of the tournament? An exciting beginning may not be enough to avoid a boring conclusion.
As mentioned before, though, Silver and the NBA understand that a complete revival is unlikely. This plan could be perceived as a ratings bandage, intended to engage viewers for a bit longer before the usual All-Star Game indifference emerges at full force.
Curry and others are reportedly sharing their input for the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, which will take place in the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center, so there could be a concentrated effort to spice up the festivities. Many fans are eager to see the revamped model on display, but plenty of others will stay skeptical until everything plays out. The debate carries on.
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