by Following Thursday’s Los Angeles Lakers shootout in Sacramento, LeBron James endorsed the changes to the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, telling reporters, “Something had to change.”
The NBA officially announced a change to the midseason showcase, introducing a tournament-like format with four teams of eight players each.
One of the teams will be the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge, which is made up of first- and second-year stars or standout G League players. The other three teams will be more traditional all-star teams, assembled by TNT’s Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, respectively.
When asked about changes to the NBA All-Star Game format, LeBron James addressed other issues with the league: “Our game involves shooting a lot of threes. So it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.” pic.twitter.com/weKJVSyXfB
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 19, 2024
“We’ll see, we’ll see when we get there. It’s different,” James said. “Of course, any change you make will bring some money back. I don’t know it. I mean, I have my ideas about what could possibly work.”
When asked what those ideas were, James chose not to divulge those thoughts — at least on a random NBA Thursday in Sacramento.
“You have to do something,” he added. “Obviously the last couple of years this Sunday night hasn’t been a great All-Star Game.”
Last season’s All-Star Game was widely criticized for a score of 211-186 that was not very competitive and featured little defense.
While James’ support wasn’t exactly enthusiastic, it was more than what Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant offered after the new All-Star format was announced.
I asked Kevin Durant what he thought about the new format of the NBA All-Star Game: “I hate it. I absolutely hate it. Terrible…We should just go back to East-West.” pic.twitter.com/T7owR5aJY7
– Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 17, 2024
“I hate it,” Durant said. “I absolutely hate it. It’s terrible. All-Star Game formats change – all formats are terrible in my opinion. We should just go back to East-West and just play a game.”
But in James’ view, the problems with the All-Star Game are a microcosm of the problems the NBA is currently facing.
“It’s not just the All-Star Game. It’s our game in general,” James added. “There’s a lot of fucking threesomes being shot. So it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.”
The increased number of 3-point shots made each night by NBA teams is a common theme among those who say the quality of play has declined — and with it the league’s TV ratings have declined.
Teams average more than 30 3-pointers per game, led by the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics with 51.1 attempts per night. Thirteen clubs are on track to shoot more three-pointers than ever before. However, the strategy has its advantages, according to the Associated Press.
“So far this season, the team that makes more 3-pointers in a game wins 53% of the time. The team that makes more 3-pointers in a game wins 67% of the time. If a team makes five more 3-pointers than its opponent, it wins 75% of the time. And if a team makes 10 more three-pointers than its opponent, it’s game over: After beating the Heat on Monday, the Celtics are now 31-0 on the season.
Whether it’s playing style or another issue like player load management, NBA broadcasts are drawing 19% fewer viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT, Sports Media Watch reports. Commissioner Adam Silver points out the number of fans who are now watching via streaming. And many sports – except the NFL juggernaut – are seeing ratings declines.
If James has ideas to offer, Silver may want to consult him on the topic and see if any of his suggestions are helpful.
