SAN FRANCISCO — Shaq’s OGs clinched victory in the 74th NBA All-Star competition on Sunday, reaching the target score of 40 faster than Chuck’s Global Stars.
Confused by any of that?
The NBA wrapped up its All-Star weekend in San Francisco on Sunday with a brand-new game format. Four teams (three consisting of the 24 All-Stars and one made up of rising stars) participated in a mini-tournament, playing games to 40 points. The general consensus from players and observers is that the league is still figuring out how to revitalize its midseason showcase.
“It was a little weird,” Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden commented on the new format.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who missed the game due to a groin injury, didn’t hold back: “If I’m being honest, no,” he said when asked if he liked the tournament-style setup.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was blunt, saying on the broadcast, “This ain’t basketball,” and gave the competition a zero out of 10.
Sunday’s tournament was the latest attempt by the NBA to breathe new life into its All-Star Game, which has seen several changes over recent years. The league has tried various gimmicks to make the game more competitive, including player captains selecting their own teams and replacing the timed fourth quarter with a target score.
While the mini-tournament did feature some exciting basketball moments, the sport seemed secondary to what felt more like a variety show.
The event was punctuated by frequent breaks between games — and even during them. These included a concert by Bay Area legends, a shooting contest with a popular YouTuber, and a tribute to TNT in honor of its final All-Star broadcast.
In fact, the TNT tribute during the last game of the night lasted longer than the game itself.
“I’d say it’s not ideal to stop like that if you want guys to play, be physical, and compete harder,” Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown said after the game.
The NBA’s ongoing attempts to tweak the All-Star format are understandable, as players, fans, and media alike have all acknowledged that the game has lost much of its competitive edge in recent years. However, the long breaks on Sunday were a self-inflicted setback, as several players noted how hard it was to stay loose for the actual basketball with all the stoppages. At one point, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving started doing line drills on his own to stay warm during the TNT tribute.
The league also took a hit from notable players deciding to sit out.
Along with Edwards, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was a late scratch. James didn’t arrive at the All-Star festivities until Sunday and cited ankle soreness as the reason he wouldn’t play.
Before the games even began, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was also out due to injury, voiced his doubts about the new format. He suggested that a game featuring American All-Stars against the world would be “more exciting.”
If the NBA takes the advice of those present on Sunday, it seems there’s a formula most could agree on: an East vs. West or USA vs. the World game, fewer breaks, and a greater focus on basketball.
One positive for the league? At least one marquee player felt there was more energy whenever the players actually played.
“I think we’re starting to see the competitive nature of All-Star weekend creep back into the game,” said Phoenix Suns forward and 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant. “I think it was solid tonight. Way better than before.”
