Did NBA fans like the new All-Star Game format? Our readers weigh in

New York Times

18-02-2025

Draymond Green's criticism of this year's NBA All-Star Game had fans reminiscing about the classic East-West battles of the past or brainstorming ways to revive the competition. Some even proposed a bold USA-versus-the-World format to reflect the league's global talent.
In this year's All-Star Game, the NBA set up a four-team, single-elimination tournament with a target score of 40 points for each round. Three of the teams consisted of the 24 NBA All-Star selections, while the fourth was the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge.
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It's difficult to predict what will come next, but it's clear that something needs to change, from the competitiveness level to the structure. It's NBA All-Star Weekend, it's supposed to be fun.
Over the weekend, we polled fans with three key questions:
The fans have spoken, and their verdict on this year's All-Star Game is brutal.
In our poll, nearly a quarter of respondents (23.7 percent) gave the event a 0, signaling overwhelming disappointment. Low ratings dominated, with 55.2 percent of voters scoring it between 0 and 3, reinforcing criticism that the games lacked effort and competitiveness.
Even middle-ground ratings were sparse, as only 8.6 percent rated it a 5, while scores of 6 and 7 hovered around 7 percent each. Positive reviews were even rarer — just 2.8 percent gave it a 9, and only 3.4 percent considered it a perfect 10.
The results align with Green's critique of the event, with many fans echoing his concerns. If the NBA wants to restore excitement to the All-Star Game, these numbers suggest that serious changes are needed.
Fan reaction to this year's festivities was far from enthusiastic. When asked how it compared to previous years, the most common response (32.5 percent) was outright frustration, with many declaring that the whole thing is a lost cause.
Meanwhile, 25.7 percent felt the new format actually made things worse, reinforcing the idea that recent tweaks haven't solved the lack of competitiveness. However, 28.7 percent saw some positives, believing this year's event was an improvement over last year's. The remaining 13.1 percent thought the game was about the same.
These mixed but largely negative results align with growing concerns from players and analysts, including Green, about the All-Star Game's declining appeal. With frustration mounting, the NBA faces a tough question: should it tweak the format again or accept that the All-Star Game may never regain its former glory?
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Fan opinions on the biggest issue with this year's NBA All-Star Game were divided. The most common response (42.6 percent) dismissed any complaints altogether, arguing that people should just 'chill out' since it's only an exhibition.
However, a significant portion of fans (31.6 percent) felt that All-Stars weren't getting enough playing time due to the league's focus on having mini-games played to a set score. Another 21.0 percent pointed to the Rising Stars sharing the spotlight with established All-Stars, suggesting that blending young talent with veterans watered down the event.
A small but notable 4.8 percent were frustrated by the lack of record-breaking opportunities, possibly referencing the relaxed style of play that prevents historic performances.
With these mixed responses, the NBA faces a challenge — some fans believe the All-Star Game isn't a serious issue, while others see clear flaws. The question remains: does the league make drastic changes, or let the game remain what it is — just a fun, low-stakes exhibition?