During a recent appearance on ESPN’s NBA Countdown ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Commissioner Adam Silver delved into various topics within basketball, with a particular focus on the NBA All-Star Game.
Michael Wilbon, one of the hosts, revisited a perennial question: “What can you do to fix the All-Star Game?” Silver, having heard similar queries before, acknowledged the ongoing challenge.
“I don’t want to overpromise” Silver responded. “Last year, I recall you asked me the same thing, and I said, ‘I’ve got this.'”
Over the years, the All-Star Game has experimented with different formats, including the captain-selected teams from 2018 to 2023, before reverting in 2024 to the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference matchup. Yet, regardless of format changes, the game has often lacked competitiveness. Defensive efforts are minimal, with players often coasting up and down the court.
Adam Silver conceded that motivating players remains a significant hurdle, a challenge unlikely to be resolved solely through format adjustments.
“Honestly, my concern about US vs. International is that we may be just past the point where guys and teams are incentivized to play a competitive All-Star Game in the middle of the season,” Silver explained. “It’s just, you (Paul George) can speak to that, it’s the nature of the league…And I don’t think any of them set out thinking, ‘We’re just not gonna play hard.’ It’s just this sort of group dynamic that takes over.”
Michael Wilbon asks Adam Silver, "What can you do to fix the (NBA) All-Star Game?" 🏀 pic.twitter.com/yTLJtzpN4b
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 13, 2024