The Disappointing 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend
It takes a lot to get a near-unanimous opinion on any sports matter these days, but the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend achieved that rare feat. The festivities in the Bay Area were widely panned, with almost everyone disliking the tournament-style All-Star Game and some of the events on All-Star Saturday. Draymond Green, who was part of TNT’s coverage for Sunday’s game, was particularly critical, calling the format "ridiculous" and rating it a "zero" out of 10 on the excitement scale. Clearly, NBA commissioner Adam Silver needs to revisit and revamp the entire weekend to restore its former glory and appeal.
Bringing Star Power to the Slam Dunk Contest
One of the most glaring issues with All-Star Saturday is the lack of star power in the Slam Dunk Contest. In recent years, the contest has featured players who can’t even crack their respective team’s rotations, such as Mac McClung, Jacob Toppin, Kenyon Martin Jr., Cassius Stanley, and Hamidou Diallo. This year, Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics was the only contestant who also played in the All-Star Game that weekend. To address this, the NBA should consider mandating that at least two current All-Stars participate in each contest. This could be incentivized by requiring All-Stars to have participated in at least one All-Star Saturday event at some point in their careers to maintain their All-Star status. Fortunately, some All-Stars have shown interest in participating. Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo both expressed their desire to join the contest after watching McClung’s impressive three-peat. Adding a pair of All-Stars to go up against dunk specialists like McClung and Stephon Castle would inject much-needed excitement and pizzazz into the event.
Reviving the Shooting Stars Competition
The Skills Challenge has been the most frequently tinkered with event on All-Star Saturday, and for good reason—it’s not very engaging. This year’s highlight was largely due to the disqualification of San Antonio Spurs stars Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul, who attempted to exploit a loophole by tossing balls to the side instead of shooting them. Another low point was watching Draymond Green struggle through the course in the final round. The challenge seems too easy for NBA players, who are generally skilled at dribbling, passing, and shooting jump shots and layups. To improve All-Star Saturday, the NBA should consider getting rid of the Skills Challenge and bringing back the Shooting Stars Competition. This event honored the history of the game and spotlighted the WNBA by featuring an NBA All-Star, an NBA icon, and a current WNBA player from the same city or state. The final shot from half-court added a challenging twist, making it more exciting than the Skills Challenge. Imagine seeing Karl-Anthony Towns, Carmelo Anthony, and Sabrina Ionescu representing New York, or Pascal Siakam, Caitlin Clark, and Reggie Miller for Indiana. The possibilities are endless and could inject a lot of fun and nostalgia into the weekend.
Enhancing the 3-Point Contest
The 3-Point Contest has consistently been the most reliable and exciting event of All-Star Weekend. However, even this event can be improved. To add more drama and excitement, the NBA should change it to an eight-player tournament where participants shoot at the same time, but from opposite sides of the court. This format would remove the target score element, where players often know how many points they need to advance. Instead, they would be trying to rack up as many 3-pointers as possible, not knowing their fate until the end. Additionally, the league should consider getting rid of the moneyball racks, as the winner shouldn’t be determined based on shooting worse from the high-value balls. This change would make the contest more fair and exciting, ensuring that skill and consistency are the primary factors in determining the champion.
A Battle of the Sexes in 3-Point Shooting
To further enhance the 3-Point Contest and provide an additional highlight, the NBA could introduce a "battle of the sexes" round. The winner of the 3-Point Contest would take on the winner of the previous year’s WNBA 3-Point Contest. This idea was inspired by the memorable duel between Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu in 2024, where the WNBA star nearly took down the NBA’s all-time 3-point king. After this year’s contest, Tyler Herro would have had to face off against Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, who won the WNBA 3-Point Contest in 2024. While this matchup might not have the name recognition of Curry-Ionescu, it would still add more fun to the evening and provide another platform for the WNBA to shine. This single addition could reinvigorate the 3-Point Contest and bring a new element of competition and entertainment.
A USA vs. the World All-Star Game Format
The All-Star Game itself has been a topic of much discussion and experimentation over the years. The NBA has tried various formats, including the All-Star draft, the Elam Ending, and this year’s four-team tournament. However, there’s one idea that could potentially bring more effort and excitement from the players: a USA vs. the World format. In recent international events, the United States has struggled to maintain its basketball dominance, finishing fourth in the 2023 FIBA Tournament and needing dramatic wins to secure gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics. A USA vs. the World All-Star Game would tap into national pride, similar to how the NHL’s Four Nations Faceoff generated intense rivalry and excitement. Although there might be a concern about having enough international players to fill out the roster, the current pool of talent is strong enough to make it a competitive and engaging event. Players like Luka Doncic and Domantas Sabonis could lend their skills to the international team, ensuring a balanced and thrilling matchup. Even if a couple of American All-Stars chose to play for the international team, this format has the potential to breathe new life into the All-Star Game.
Staying Informed: NBA All-Star Weekend and Beyond
Want to stay updated on the latest NBA news and events, including future All-Star Weekends? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account to follow your favorite leagues, teams, and players. You’ll receive a personalized newsletter daily, ensuring you never miss a beat. From the 2025 NBA All-Star rosters and the drama surrounding Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama’s disqualification to Draymond Green’s candid comments about the state of the NBA, there’s always something to discuss and follow. Dive into the playoff picture, upcoming schedules, and more to stay in the loop. With the potential for exciting changes and new formats, the future of the NBA All-Star Weekend looks promising, and staying informed will only enhance your enjoyment of the game.
