The NBA All-Star Game has long been a celebration of the league’s biggest names, a showcase of talent more than a true test of competition. But as the event continues to evolve, even some of the game’s most respected voices are calling for a fresh approach - including Warriors superstar Steph Curry.
Curry, sidelined this year with a right knee injury, won’t be suiting up for the 75th All-Star edition at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. But that didn’t stop him from offering a thoughtful take on how the league might inject new life into the midseason classic.
“Unfortunately, I can’t help this year because I’m not playing,” Curry said during All-Star media day on Saturday. “But I think the only thing I would think about is shortening the game.”
It’s a simple idea, but one that carries weight coming from a 12-time All-Star and one of the most influential players of his generation. Curry’s point isn’t about turning the All-Star Game into a playoff-level slugfest - no one’s asking for full-speed closeouts and Game 7 intensity. But he’s advocating for a format that better matches the nature of the event: a fun, competitive exhibition that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
“A shorter game, maybe,” Curry continued. “I know they’re doing a great job of trying to shorten the day for us as All-Stars because we’re sort of used to a certain game day prep that gets your body ready to go.
The timeouts aren’t as long, and the breaks in between games aren’t as long. The league is doing a great job in trying to address that.
That’s the only suggestion I would have.”
Curry even floated the idea of a 40-minute game - down from the standard 48 - especially if the league continues with the traditional two-team format. “Short and sweet is better,” he said. “I think that would help the competition.”
And he may be onto something. The NBA has tried a variety of tweaks over the past few years - from the Elam Ending to captains drafting teams - all in an effort to recapture the competitive edge that once made the All-Star Game must-see TV.
This year’s version will feature a mini round-robin tournament: four 12-minute games between two American teams and one international squad. It’s a bold experiment, but one that may not move the needle if the players aren’t fully engaged.
That’s where Curry’s voice matters. When a player of his stature speaks - especially with the clarity and thoughtfulness he brings to the table - the league listens.
He’s not calling for a complete overhaul, just a tweak that could make the game feel more natural for players and more entertaining for fans. Less standing around.
More pace. A tighter window that encourages guys to go hard without worrying about overexerting themselves in what’s ultimately a showcase event.
Whether commissioner Adam Silver and the league’s decision-makers take Curry’s advice to heart remains to be seen. But the suggestion lines up with what many fans and players have quietly felt for years: the All-Star Game doesn’t need to be longer or louder - it just needs to be better. And sometimes, better means simpler.
Shorter game. Sharper competition.
Same star power. That’s a formula worth exploring.