Revamped NBA All-Star Game Format Shines, Despite Excessive Downtime

Draymond Green, known for his numerous fines and suspensions throughout his NBA career, once again captured attention during a key league event. Amidst discussions about declining viewership and controversial playing styles, Green didn’t hesitate to challenge the league’s authority during its signature midseason showcase.

At the TNT pregame show, the Golden State Warriors forward did not mince words about the All-Star Game, labeling it as “boring” and lacking depth. He criticized the new All-Star format, a mini-tournament involving four teams including one from the Rising Stars, as inadequate.

Draymond Green: “You work all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40 and then you’re done… Come on, what are we doing? This is ridiculous.”

Adam Lefkoe: “Scale of 1-10, your thoughts of the format.”

Draymond: “A zero. Sucks. This ain’t basketball.” #NBA pic.twitter.com/L7dlhwLprm

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 17, 2025

Green expressed frustration over the effort required to participate in the All-Star weekend, only to face a disappointing game format in light of falling ratings. When asked to rate the new format on a scale of one to ten, Green bluntly gave it a zero.

Criticizing the NBA’s All-Star weekend has become somewhat of a sport in itself. The game has increasingly been seen as a mere exhibition match, reaching a low point last season with a scoreline of 211–186, which left many, including Commissioner Adam Silver, deeply unimpressed. The league introduced a shorter, tournament-based format in hopes of revitalizing the competition.

Although the new format led to marginally more competitive play, it was marred by lengthy interruptions that sapped the event’s momentum. Performances by musicians and other entertainers, including a shooting contest by YouTuber Mr. Beast, and a tribute to TNT’s broadcast team during the game, detracted from the action on the court.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remarked on the less than ideal timing of the breaks. The All-Star Game’s viewership, while modest compared to NFL games, maintained an audience comparable to the NBA’s top regular-season games, indicating that calls to end the event were likely to be ignored. Some players acknowledged the increased effort and appreciated the new format, despite its flaws.

The BEST PLAYS from Shaq’s OGs on way to winning the first-ever #NBAAllStar mini-tournament pic.twitter.com/XvGTKGIPwo

— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025

“It’s an interesting change, and it’s definitely different,” said Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, suggesting a potential increase to 50 points to win might improve the format. Gilgeous-Alexander also noted a shift towards more competitive play, a positive development.

Other discussions around the week centered on significant NBA developments, such as the trade of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move involving Anthony Davis that caught Commissioner Silver off-guard. While some questioned the wisdom of the Mavericks’ decision, others admired the boldness of the move, seeing potential in a frontcourt featuring Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford, despite current injuries.

Silver acknowledged the challenges of such decisions, emphasizing the Mavericks’ focus on building a championship-caliber team. The trade has set a potentially transformative three-year trajectory for the Mavericks, contingent on health and performance.

Concerns Over the NBA’s Three-Point Trend

Despite an uptick in viewership, concerns linger about the NBA’s market performance and the prevalence of three-point shooting, which even Silver admits may be excessive. This issue was a topic of discussion between Warriors coach Steve Kerr and journalist Bob Costas, suggesting potential adjustments to address the imbalance.

As strategies and team compositions continue to evolve, the league remains committed to fine-tuning the game, aiming to enhance both competitive balance and viewer engagement.

Speculations on Kevin Durant’s Future

Amid these discussions, Kevin Durant praised his brief reunion with Stephen Curry during the All-Star Game, highlighting Curry’s unselfish style. Despite this, Durant’s future remains uncertain, especially with the Phoenix Suns struggling in the standings. Houston Rockets are speculated to be potential contenders for Durant, given his history in Texas and connections within the team.