The NBA are reportedly considering making major changes to the format of the All-Star game that could come into effect next season.
This week will see the Conference Finals draw to a close, as the finalists for next month’s NBA Finals become known. In the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat hold a 3-0 lead over the Boston Celtics, while in the west the Denver Nuggets are also one game away from a sweep over the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3-0 advantage.
While the playoffs are the most competitive and intense part of the NBA season, there are other games that are played to entertain basketball fans. One of them is the traditional NBA All-Star game, which takes place over the course of a weekend every February.
This year Salt Lake City was the host as team’s captained by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lakers forward LeBron James took center stage. Team Giannis won the game 185-174, with Jayson Tatum breaking the record for the most points in an All-Star game with 55 to his name.
However, a report in The Athletic has revealed that the NBA are considering making changes to the format of the All-Star series. At the moment, the system for the game works on a draft basis with the captain’s making their picks mere minutes before the tip off.
The 2023 series was the first year that this system has been used, but the draft concept has been part of the All-Star game since 2018. And it was only in 2020 when the NBA introduced the Elam Ending into the game.
Under regular NBA rules, teams play four quarters with the winner being whichever scores the most points. The Elam Ending changes it so that each team goes into the fourth quarter needing to his a target score to win the game.
The report from The Athletic says that changes are being considered that would see the All-Star game revert back to the East vs West format that had been used for decades prior to the change in 2018. It’s been claimed that talks have taken place between the NBA and NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) over the changes, which could be brought in as soon as next season (2023/24).
The reason for the consideration of changes comes from the NBA wishing to increase the competitiveness of the All-Star series. It’s been reported that talks have been held at recent Board of Governor and general manager meetings.
In 2024 the NBA All-Star weekend will go to Indianapolis, which will be the first time that the city has hosted the event since 1985. It remains to be seen whether any changes will be made to the series either during the off-season or before the conclusion of this year’s NBA Finals.
