The NBA All-Star Game has become a total afterthought in recent years. Players haven’t cared about it enough to actually compete. The league tried all sorts of things to rejuvenate interest to little success. However, the most recent changes took place over the weekend, and they seem to have worked wonderfully.
New NBA All-Star Game proves successful
The NBA All-Star Game has arguably not been good in years, but a couple of factors this year helped change that. Anthony Edwards, named All-Star Game MVP, listed both factors after winning the contest and the award.
Edwards credited the new format, which pitted USA stars against international players a la 4 Nations Face-Off in the NHL. He also credited an international star who challenged the NBA to take it seriously. “(Victor Wembanyama) set the tone, and it was definitely competitive with all three teams,” Edwards said via ESPN. “He set the tone, man. And it woke me up, for sure.”
The USA had two teams, one made of older stars like LeBron James and De’Aaron Fox, and the other of young players like Edwards. After a round-robin tournament, Edwards’ Team Stars prevailed, and he took home MVP honors. Across the tournament, he had 32 points on 13-for-22 shooting, nine rebounds, and three assists.
Wembanyama’s desire for everyone to take it seriously wasn’t just talk. He was furious when a defensive lapse led to a game-losing three from Scottie Barnes.
“It’s a game we love — it’s a game I personally cherish — so being competitive is the least I can do,” the San Antonio Spurs star said. Team World, led by Wembanyama, fell short by a narrow margin, upsetting the center.
Edwards said he particularly enjoyed beating Team World. “Because they say they’re the best players in the world,” Edwards said. “So beating them is the best feeling in the world.”
He also said he would love to see this format return, even if it’s not necessarily USA versus World. “I think it makes us compete because it’s only 12-minute , and the three different teams separate the guys,” the Timberwolves guard said. “I think it was really good.”
Kawhi Leonard shines
Kawhi Leonard nearly took home MVP honors after dominating all night long. Fans may recall he was initially viewed as a snub for LeBron James, but he ended up in as an injury replacement. “It was great; happy that Adam (Silver) let me in,” he said. “That’s what the home crowd wanted to see. I’m glad I was able to do something in that game.”
His peers are NBA superstars, as they were all in the NBA All-Star Game. They were truly wowed by Leonard, though. “We were watching it … like, ‘Damn, this guy is killing,'” Scottie Barnes said. “We were just like in awe. In shock, too. When a guy has it going like that, it’s special. That’s what the people want to see.”
Anthony Edwards even added, “I told (Leonard) when we walked out for the last game, I said, ‘Hey, you need to chill out.'” Leonard did “chill out” in the final outing, while Edwards caught fire and that likely helped him earn the MVP over Leonard.
“I think it was definitely a step up in the competitive department compared to last season,” Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant said. “Kawhi was great. Ant was great. I think we did what we’re supposed to do for the fans.”
As for the future, Leonard added, “I still think going back to East-West will be great — I think guys will compete still. But it’s like, whatever grabs the attention of the consumer, I’m for it.” Whatever the NBA does, it sounds like they might have a good All-Star Game again.
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