Not the long breaks, of the new format: The NBA All-Stars biggest problem with new All-Star Game format

The City of San Francisco had a busy last few days hosting the NBA’s All-Star Weekend. In the after math of the main event, we have time to reflect on how the weekend went. People don’t seem too convinced, and neither do the players.

Tweaks helped, still a long way to go

There was talk from the players that the new format seemed a bit more competitive. There was certainly more defense played than in other years. Does that mean the spectacle is back? Not really. While there were minor improvements, there is still a lot of work to be done and that was the resounding sentiment from the All-Stars following the game.

The All-Star Game, while it may have been losing it’s luster over the last decade or two, was always just the game. Maybe a quick in game homage, or a halftime concert, but there were no thrills, or side shows once the game has started. That wasn’t the case on Sunday. There were stoppages, both between the two semifinal games, and during the final.

Being the last year TNT is broadcasting the All-Star game, the network took more than a moment to honor the cast of Inside the Studio which has covered the NBA and the All-Star Weekends for decades. The break took about 15 minutes and was smack in the middle of a game played to 40 points. While players were bothered by that, they also understood that Ernie, Shaq, Chuck and Kenny deserved their homage. The timing could have been better but that wasn’t what bothered the All-Stars most.

Tatum and Curry sound off

The new format consisted of a three game tournament, consisting of four teams playing two semifinal games to reach the final. Three of those teams were made up of the 24 All-Stars that were voted to play in the game, and the other team was represented by the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night. While they may have won the title between the youngsters, those who know what it’s like to be an All-Star felt like Team C, coached by Chris Mullin, didn’t deserve to play on the “sacred” Sunday’s main event.

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“I’ve got mixed emotions or feelings, I guess, about the Rising Stars part. Obviously happy for those guys, but it is something to be said and it is kind of a big deal to be in All-Star and play Sunday night.” Said Jayson Tatum after the game. “Some guys get snubbed, other guys have to work really, really hard to make the All-Star game,”

Even ASG MVP and unofficial host of the All-Star Weekend Steph Curry, who was involved in the process of structuring this new format, gave his input . “Obviously a lot of conversation around the fourth team and the rising stars,” Curry said. “And the All-Star experience on Sunday is very sacred. And you have to work your way into that.”