New All-Star Tournament Format for 2025

[Andrew]

As per Shams: https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1859655914308919721

The NBA's new four-team tournament-style format for the 2025 All-Star Game is expected to have two semifinal games played up to 40 points, with the winners advancing to the finals match up to 25 points

I mean, it's something different, and maybe it gets the players trying again. It's just ridiculous how many format changes we've seen in the past ten years under Silver though, and how the game has gone from this wonderful exhibition of basketball featuring the top players in the league to an utter joke. I can't stand to watch it these days, and honestly, another radical change in format isn't really to my taste either.

[mp3]

I really don't like the gimmicks that Silver has brought to the nba, I know I sound like the old man I have become but I don't like change now and certainly don't like the changes Adam Silver has done, I really don't think there was any problem with the East vs West,Rookies vs Sophomore format other than the effort level from the players.

[Andrew]

Agreed wholeheartedly. I think "gimmicky" is a pejorative for a reason, and that certainly describes some of the attempted re-vamps. Unfortunately, the All-Star Weekend just isn't what it used to be.

[mp3]

Definitely mate! The days of staying up late to watch the all-star games like MJ vs Kobe in NY, the competition and the home team jerseys vs the away team jerseys were the days, I legit haven't fully watched and enjoyed an allstar game since Marbury and Iverson made the comeback win, 20+ years ago? I absolutely love basketball, the nba and nba gaming but the allstar weekend is just where I take a week off pretty much these days.

[Andrew]

The early 2000s were the last really great ones. I feel like up until the early 2010s they were still pretty fun, but around 2014, 2015, it went downhill fast with a lack of effort and competition. And then of course, so many gimmicky format changes that didn't address the underlying problem.

[mp3]

I know what you mean and maybe it was more when they started having team captains and picking teams that made me completely switch off, I think as well we both grew up in the era of rivalries like Knicks/Bulls, Lakers/King's etc and nowadays teams are to friendly with each other for the league to be as competitive as it used to be so the allstar games are definitely on a different level for lack of competitiveness.

A comment Paul George made on his podcast the game after be came back from injury this year was a perfect example when they played the Lakers and George spoke to JJ Redick joking "what are doing double teamming me, I've just come back, just let me hoop" ... joking as much as he probably was but it's an nba regular season game not preseason, what does he expect to happen lol

[Andrew]

That one probably was a joke, but it does remind me of Devin Booker complaining about a double team during an open gym. Now, there's debate as to whether it's proper open run etiquette and so forth, but if you're working on your game and you're a player that gets doubled a lot, it seems like a good opportunity to work on that in an environment where there aren't any stakes.

I don't know. I hate to sound like a grumpy old person I would've likely would've scoffed at years ago - especially when I'm still far too young for that - but these players are getting a lot of money to play basketball at the highest level. When the effort and competitiveness isn't there, it doesn't make one want to watch and cheer for them.

[mp3]

Exactly, il be 44 in February and I think I've come down with a full case of grumpy old man syndrome lol

[Jeffx]

Just go back to East vs. West and stop the BS. Silver is a joke.

[mp3]

I second that!

East vs West... Rookies vs Sophomores

No gimmicks just throw in a bonus for the winning team substantial enough for them to try harder to win and actually play defence

[Andrew]

I liked that they did that last year, it's ridiculous it's being blamed for the issues with the game. Formats and gimmicks won't matter as long as the players don't care to try.