The NBA’s latest attempt to revamp the All-Star Game has not gone down well with fans or players. The league’s new format, introduced by Commissioner Adam Silver for the 2025 All-Star weekend, was met with intense criticism, with Warriors superstar Draymond Green leading the charge. During the live TNT broadcast, Green did not mince words, declaring the event “sucks” and calling the format “unfair.”
A Radical Format That Missed the Mark
For years, the NBA All-Star Game has been a celebration of the league’s best talent, offering fans a chance to watch their favorite players compete in a star-studded showdown. However, this year’s edition took a drastic turn with a four-team mini-tournament structure instead of the traditional East vs. West or Team Captain showdown.
The new format, which saw All-Stars playing in short bursts while a “Rising Stars” squad also participated, left many questioning the point of the event. Social media erupted in criticism, with fans and analysts on X (formerly Twitter) ridiculing the changes.
Draymond Green’s Unfiltered Reaction
Draymond Green, a four-time All-Star and respected voice in the league, was visibly frustrated with the format while working as an analyst for TNT. When asked about his thoughts, he held nothing back:
“You work all year to be an All-Star, and you get to play up to 40 (points) and then you’re done? This ain’t basketball.”
Green was particularly annoyed by the inclusion of “Rising Stars” players—young, promising talents who hadn’t yet earned full All-Star recognition. He argued that this undermined the honor of being selected for the game and diminished the experience for established superstars like Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who barely got the chance to showcase their skills.
He went on to rate the event a zero out of ten, a brutal but candid assessment that echoed the sentiments of many watching at home.
Other NBA Stars Speak Out
Green wasn’t the only one dismayed by the new format. Hawks guard Trae Young bluntly stated, “I didn’t like it at all,” while Kevin Durant had already voiced his disapproval back in December, labeling the idea “terrible.”
Even though the event featured celebrity cameos from Kevin Hart, MrBeast, and other entertainers, the spectacle wasn’t enough to save the game from harsh criticism. With top-tier stars like LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out due to injuries, the excitement surrounding the All-Star weekend took an even bigger hit.
Shaq’s OGs Take the Crown, But the Format Still Fails
In the end, Shaquille O’Neal’s team, “Shaq’s OGs,” emerged victorious, with Steph Curry claiming MVP honors. But the buzz wasn’t about the competition—it was about how much the game had lost its appeal.
While some may argue that the NBA was attempting to inject fresh energy into the event, the overwhelming reaction suggests it was a misfire. Fans long for the high-energy, high-intensity matchups of past All-Star Games, where legends battled for pride and supremacy on the court.
What’s Next for the All-Star Game?
With 364 days until the next NBA All-Star weekend, Commissioner Adam Silver and the league’s decision-makers have a lot to think about. Will they double down on the tournament structure, or will they listen to the voices of players and fans calling for a return to a more traditional format?
One thing is clear: if the NBA doesn’t course-correct, next year’s All-Star Game could be facing even worse ratings and an even more frustrated audience.
For now, fans will have to wait and see whether Silver will go back to the drawing board or risk another All-Star Game that “sucks.”
