NBA All-Star Weekend has come and gone, with the game itself broadcasted on Sunday, Feb. 16, having a few hiccups that some fans expressed. Here are 3 reasons why.
🏀 Criticism for the new tournament format. “Maybe the league needs to work the kinks out of this new approach.” The 4-teams and 40-point score max was a different change from the regular 48-minute East or West gameplay. Comments ranged from “It was hardly competitive and lacked the intensity and care that commissioner Adam Silver was hoping for” to “It was another swing and a miss by the league and its players.” Draymond Green was not a fan of the new format. “It stinks,” said the Warriors power forward. “It took all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40 and then you’re done.” Green added. “This is so unfair to Victor Wembanyama, who just took this game really seriously, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just took this game really seriously.”
Another NBA star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, had a different take on the future of the NBA All-Star game when he talked to the media about the “viability of a U.S. vs. international All-Star battle.”
“I would love that. Oh, I would love that,” said the Bucks’ Greek star, who was unavailable to play due to a calf strain. “I think that would be the most interesting and most exciting format.
“For sure, I’d take pride in that. I always compete, but I think that will give me a little bit more extra juice to compete, like having Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], [Nikola] Jokić, Luka [DonÄŤić], Wemby [Victor Wembanyama], [Karl-Anthony] Towns, [Alperen] Sengun. … Going against the best U.S. players, I think it would be fun.
Green, who was also not a fan of the “rising stars” as part of the game, did not himself participate, but he provided commentary for TNT’s pregame show. And LeBron James, originally scheduled to play, decided a couple of hours beforehand not to do so due to foot/ankle discomfort. His and Anthony Edwards’ absence (groin issue) led to “both the OGs and the Young Stars being shorthanded because of late scratches.”
🏀 There was too much Kevin Hart. Fans complained there was too much of the emcee. The comedian and actor known for his nonstop jokes didn’t land well with some viewers. Some thought they were watching the Kevin Hart show, and the NBA All-Star game made a brief appearance.
🏀 Long gaps and lengthy timeouts crammed with on-court entertainment. From honoring the TNT hosts and its old network during the broadcast (the NBA All-Star moves to NBC next season) to cramming on-court entertainment (shooting challenge), where one fan won $100,000, some viewers seemed not to have appreciated the interruptions that made it harder to follow and enjoy this year’s game.
The NBA has tried a new format this year to spice things up. Did you enjoy it? Join the conversation on Instagram @bsm_mag.
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