As the NBA gears up for a revamped All-Star Weekend, one of the league’s most outspoken veterans isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for the new format. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has made it clear: he’s not a fan of the league’s shift to a USA vs. World setup for this year’s All-Star Game - the first time Commissioner Adam Silver will implement the format.
On The Draymond Green Show, joined by longtime NBA voice Skip Bayless, Green took a moment to reflect on what the All-Star Game used to be - and why he believes no format change can recapture that magic.
“I remember Kobe getting his nose broken in the All-Star Game,” Green recalled. “Those guys were really, truly competing.”
That physical edge, that sense of pride, that competitive fire - it's what made the East vs. West battles of the past feel like more than just an exhibition. Green isn’t just reminiscing about the good old days; he’s pointing to a fundamental shift in how players approach the midseason showcase.
He acknowledged that the game has changed, and so have the priorities. “If I know better about my body, then I’m going to do better about my body,” Green said. In other words, today’s stars are more focused on longevity, health, and postseason success - and that doesn’t always align with going all-out in a glorified scrimmage.
From Green’s perspective, no amount of rebranding or flashy format tweaks - including this year’s USA vs. World idea - is going to fix what’s broken.
“Best in the East, best in the West, it works when the game is good,” Green said. “We doing all these different gimmicks makes it more of a joke. It looks good for a year, it’s a quick fix, but then you’re like, ‘I don’t want to see that again.’”
Green drew a sharp contrast between today’s All-Star setups and the matchups he grew up watching - marquee names like Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O’Neal going head-to-head, representing their conferences with pride. “I can’t see this World vs.
Draymond Green calls out Adam Silver and the NBA for the new All Star format calling it a joke to the league:
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 13, 2026
“Best in the East, Best in the West it works when the game is good. We doing all this different gimmicks makes it more of a joke. It looks good for a year it’s a quick… pic.twitter.com/vsQXjb3aJA
USA, and then equate it to when KG was on the East, and Shaq was on the West,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense to me.
It’s not the same thing.”
For Green, the All-Star Game isn’t broken because of its structure - it’s because the spirit of competition that once defined it has faded. And while Silver’s new format might generate some short-term buzz, Green doesn’t believe it addresses the real issue.
That wasn’t the only topic Green had on his mind. On Threads, he also took aim at broadcaster Doris Burke, accusing the veteran commentator of consistently offering a one-sided take on his game.
“She will always ignore things happening to me and only half mention the good,” Green posted. “And take shots when they are available. Been that way for a while…”
It’s not unusual for Green to speak his mind - and with the Warriors sitting at 29-26 heading into the All-Star break, he’s got more than enough motivation to keep pushing. Whether it’s defending his legacy, calling out media narratives, or challenging the league’s decisions, Draymond Green remains one of the NBA’s most unapologetically candid voices.
And when it comes to the All-Star Game, he’s not just critiquing the format - he’s challenging the league to find a way to bring back the edge, intensity, and pride that once made it must-watch basketball.