The NBA may have finally found an All-Star Game format that works, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The U.S. vs. the World approach with a round-robin tournament of 12-minute games was a huge hit on Sunday, bringing the event’s competitive intensity to a level that hasn’t been seen in years.
The first three contests all came down to the wire, providing thrilling finishes that captivated the players as well as the fans. Anthony Edwards, who earned MVP honors while leading his USA Stars team to the championship, credited Victor Wembanyama with inspiring the rest of the All-Stars by going all out to win.
“[Wembanyama] set the tone, and it was definitely competitive with all three teams,” Edwards said. “He set the tone, man. And it woke me up, for sure.”
The Spurs star delivered on the promise he made Saturday to approach the event like a normal game and provide a few “exclamation-point plays.” He was noticeably upset when a defensive mix-up caused his World team to lose its opener on a three-pointer by Scottie Barnes.
“It’s a game we love — it’s a game I personally cherish — so being competitive is the least I can do,” Wembanyama told reporters.
Kawhi Leonard put on a show for his home fans in the third game, scoring 31 points in a 48-45 victory over Team World. He thanked commissioner Adam Silver for selecting him as an injury replacement.
“It was great; happy that Adam let me in,” Leonard said. “That’s what the home crowd wanted to see. I’m glad I was able to do something in that game.”
Leonard’s performance also made an impression on his fellow All-Stars.
“We were watching it … like, ‘Damn, this guy is killing,'” Barnes said. “We were just like in awe. In shock, too. When a guy has it going like that, it’s special. That’s what the people want to see.”
In addition to the competitive games, Sunday’s showcase put a spotlight on the league’s younger stars, with Edwards, Barnes, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Johnson and Chet Holmgren leading the Stars team to a dominant win over the veteran-laden USA Stripes contingent in the finals, notes Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.
Although no decision has been made, it seems likely that the new format will be retained next season when the All-Star Game moves to Phoenix.
“I think they ain’t really going to take in what I’m saying, but I like this format,” Edwards said. “I think it makes us compete because it’s only 12 minutes, and the three different teams separate the guys. I think it was really good … I feel like the old heads played hard, too. They were playing real good defense.”
Too much stuff going on at these events.
You only need the 3 point contest, the dunk contest and the main event. Being competitive is a choice by the players and likely players took a page from Wemby. Format shouldn’t matter.
That last game kind of spoiled the new format though. Kawhi with 1 pt in 12 minutes leading the Stripes to a 26-pt loss is not what fans wanted to see.
The format didnt do nothing, it was Wemby who changed the intensity. If he wasnt playing, they would have played like bums again
What did Nikola and Luka have to say about it?
Their comments were unintelligible because their mouths were full of food.
Players who are injured and don’t step out of the all star game to make room for someone healthy is worse than tanking imho
How about Lebron in 2025 when he only asked out last minute?
Thanks Jokic and Luka for making me watch Kat and Murray get the most mins on the squad
All hail Victor…
Without him antagonising the other players into playing it would of been another lay up line…
The new format gave it a fresh coat of paint… It was all down to Victor wanting it and inspiring the rest…
While it was great for Wemby to spark the game, and great effort for the league to freshen up the main event which has lacked competition in most of past many recent years, in my imagination I would like to see a bit of Mini Olympics NBA version, pitting countries most represented in the NBA, say France, USA, Canada, Germany and Serbia. Allows players to get a little bit of revenge from Olympics or FIBA World and poke some fun into it at the same time. It’s just different playing for your country bringing in some more competitiveness. If it has to be 3on3 so a country team can be completed then maybe try it. USA may likely dominate on home soil but it will be interesting to see if the likes of Wemby, Jokic, Shai or Franz Wagner has something to say about it. Scrap the Rising Stars too, make this a 3 day event culminating to the Final Four ala March Madness style. To this, I think more people from all over the world will be drawn to. The Olympics every 4 years is just too darn long. Making a Mini Olympics Tournament within the NBA is must-see TV without taking away from the prestige of the quadrennial Olympic games. It’s time to shift the definition of “NBA All Star” from NBA’s best players to NBA’s best players from each country. There’s just so many “All Star snubs” year after year anyway and is kinda pointless. Id rather see Dillon Brooks with Team Canada gut it out with Wemby and the French Team. How about the coaches? Jordi Fernandez of Canada is in Brooklyn. The players can be playing-coach too if it really has to be ‘within the NBA’. I welcome the league trying to make things more interesting. But I think “Team World” doesn’t bring about enough juice just yet.