“Hey Shai, if you want that MVP during the regular season, step up your game!” “Jokic, give a chance for American-born players to win the MVP!” It seems like stakeholders might finally see their desires fulfilled in this year’s game. And if they do, will this change be sustainable? A year ago, Silver mentioned, “We’re not expecting the players to treat it like the Finals, but we do want to see some defense. We need them to show that they care about this game.” All-Star competitions, not just in the NBA, have undergone transformations over the years. The NFL’s Pro Bowl has transitioned into a skills competition and flag football match. At one point, MLB used the All-Star Game outcome to determine which league received home-field advantage, but that rule has since been revoked. The NHL now features a four-team 3-on-3 tournament. These games are far from what they were in the past decades. It’s a new era with a new generation of players. However, this doesn’t imply that the NBA should settle for just a showcase of dunks or long-range shots on every possession. The NBA is making an effort, and the basketball operations team is receiving recognition for their innovative concept. The challenge lies in reinventing the All-Star format each year to maintain the players’ competitive spirit. By 2026, the format must evolve from what it is this season. It could be similar, but not identical. Follow NBA columnist Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt This article was first published on USA TODAY: NBA All-Star Game on life support? Format change might be the solution
