What does the NBA All-Star player win?

The highlight of NBA All-Star Weekend is the game between the best players in the league, this year divided into Team LeBron and Team Durant.

The winners of the mid-season match will receive a sizable prize, and of course, earn bragging rights.

Hoping for increased excitement

Prior to 2018, winners of the All-Star Game received $50,000 each, while those on the losing team pocketed $25,000. Four years ago, the league increased the winners’ prize to $100,000 per player, leaving a $75,000 difference between the earnings of the winners and the losers - a big jump from the previous $25,000 gap.

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The larger purse was an incentive for star players to take the game more seriously. The NBA All-Stars had received criticism in the past for not being very competitive, with players delivering halfhearted performances. The additional winnings were seen as one way to remedy this.

More competitive teams

Aside from the increased financial gains awaiting the victors, another change implemented was the way teams were formed. Rather than having the Eastern Conference go against the West, the two squads are now composed of players who are drafted by the two team captains, irrespective of their conference affiliation.

These two leaders, one each from the Eastern and Western Conferences, are voted into these positions by fans. This year, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Brooklyn Nets super scorer Kevin Durant garnered the most votes.

The 10 starters are determined by a combination of votes from fans, current players, and the media. The NBA coaches choose the 14 reserves, and the team captains draft their respective squads from this All-Star pool of players.

With teams handpicked by the captains and increased prize money, basketball fans can hope for an exciting showdown on Sunday.

The 71st NBA All-Star Game will be held on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Tip off is at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.