The NBA is thinking about changing the All-Star Game format again this season.
All-Star Game Changes
Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, mentioned that Stephen Curry is part of the talks for the upcoming All-Star event in San Francisco. Silver said, โWeโve had direct conversations with Steph Curry โ itโs a home game for him.โ He emphasized that both players and fans were disappointed with last yearโs game and they want to make it more exciting.
Last year’s game in Indianapolis was criticized for its lack of defense and too many long shots. The East won against the West with a score of 211-186, despite Joe Dumars asking players to take it seriously. Over recent years, making the All-Star Game fun to watch has been tough for the NBA. They tried new things like letting top vote-getters pick teams since 2018 and using an “Elam Ending” in 2020 to make games thrilling at the end.
But these ideas didnโt really catch on with fans, so they went back to East vs. West last season using regular rules. Silver admitted they hoped for a better game but realized fans want more than just a typical match.
Fans think it’s time we see some real competition during these games!
Popular Events and Future Plans
One highlight from last year was a shooting contest between Curry and Sabrina Ionescu. People loved it! Although not officially announced yet, Silver hinted at another showdown between them in San Francisco this year. He believes events showcasing both men and women playing basketball should become bigger parts of All-Star activities because they attract viewers.
Silver also discussed expanding the league but said nothing is decided yet. Seattle and Las Vegas are popular choices for new teams; however, Mexico City might also be considered as an option. He explained that if expansion happens, adding two cities would be logical to keep conferences balanced because having an odd number can cause issues.
It would be interesting if Mexico City got an NBA team!
