The NBA is shaking things up for this year’s All-Star Game, rolling out a brand-new format that ditches the traditional East vs. West showdown in favor of a three-team mini-tournament. That’s right - instead of two squads going head-to-head, we’ll see three teams take the court: two representing the United States, dubbed “Team Stars” and “Team Stripes,” and one international squad simply called “Team World.”
The goal? Reignite the competitive fire that’s been missing from recent All-Star Games and give fans a fresh look at elite basketball talent.
Each team will play at least two games, with the two best-performing squads meeting in a final matchup to determine the winner. It’s a bold swing from the NBA - one that clearly aims to bring some juice back to a weekend that’s started to feel a little flat.
But not everyone is buying in.
Draymond Green, never one to hold back, made his thoughts clear on The Draymond Green Show podcast. The Warriors forward took issue with the format change, calling it a “gimmick” that might make a splash in the short term but lacks staying power.
“We’re doing all these different gimmicks,” Green said. “I think that makes it actually more of a joke... than just saying it’s East-West.
How do you get these guys to compete East versus West? Until you can do that, I don’t think the gimmicks work.”
Green’s point is rooted in a desire to see the game return to its roots - a real, high-level battle between the best players in each conference. He’s not wrong in pointing out that the All-Star Game used to carry more weight.
Think back to the days when players went at each other with pride, when defense was actually played, and when bragging rights meant something. In recent years, though, we’ve seen more highlight-reel dunks and logo threes than actual competition.
Fun? Sure.
But meaningful? Not so much.
The league has tried several tweaks over the years - from the Elam Ending to captains drafting teams - all in an effort to recapture that edge. This three-team format is just the latest experiment in that ongoing search. And while it’s easy to dismiss it as a gimmick, it also shows the NBA is willing to take risks to fix what’s become a bit of a midseason exhibition snooze.
The real test comes this weekend. Can this format actually deliver a competitive product?
Will the players buy in and bring some fire? Or will it feel like another flashy idea that fizzles out by the fourth quarter?
Draymond’s skepticism is fair, and he’s speaking from the perspective of someone who’s seen the game at its best. But until the league finds a way to make the All-Star Game matter again - whether through pride, incentives, or format - these kinds of changes are going to keep coming.
For now, all eyes are on Indianapolis. If this three-team setup can bring back some of that old-school intensity, it might just stick.
If not, it’ll be back to the drawing board. Either way, the NBA is clearly listening - and trying.