In recent years, NBA All-Star Game ratings have significantly declined, prompting the league to explore changes to the game’s format. After five years of experimenting with player captains selecting teams, the NBA has decided to revert to the classic East-West format for the 2024 All-Star Weekend. This change resulted in a slight ratings increase from the record-low in 2023, but it seems insufficient for the classic format’s permanent return.
For the 2025 All-Star Game this Sunday, the league is introducing yet another change. Instead of a single All-Star Game, there will be three games in a tournament-style bracket featuring teams selected by Inside the NBA personalities Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Candace Parker. Barkley’s “Global Stars” team will take on Smith’s “Young Stars” team first, while the winner will then compete against the victors of O’Neal’s “OGs” and Parker’s “Rising Stars”, formed from a separate mini-tournament replacing the traditional Rising Stars Game.
The upcoming week will reveal whether this new format captures significant interest. On paper, one could argue the tournament-style presentation complicates an event that NBA fans once appreciated for its simplicity—watching the best players in the world compete against each other. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism about the new format during a recent appearance on the Murph and Markus Show on KNBR, but he also hinted at the possibility of further format changes, like a Team USA versus Team World matchup, reminiscent of golf’s Ryder Cup.
“I’ve talked to Steph and many of the perennial All-Stars, none of them were proud of what you saw last year… I’m hopeful for this year. We can get something that can be really fun and exciting for fans to watch.”
Adam Silver told @knbrmurph & @MarkusBoucher he’s confident… pic.twitter.com/Gj9nmaPbZx
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 11, 2025
On Wednesday, the concept of a Team USA versus Team International game was explored on FanDuel TV’s Run it Back Show with Michelle Beadle, Chandler Parsons, and Lou Williams. Parsons argued that with the number of global superstars in the NBA, the time for this format change is now. “If you rank the top players in the NBA right now, they have the top four,” he stated regarding the hypothetical Team International. Lou Williams acknowledged the strength of the international stars but asserted that the USA team would hold a considerable advantage due to its overall roster depth, noting, “Yeah, but they would get their a** whooped as soon as they go to their bench.”
Parsons added that the very fact this topic was discussed in depth indicates it’s worth pursuing. “You know how I know this will be a good idea? Because look at how spicy we just got talking about who is gonna win,” he replied.
Adam Silver says USA vs. The World is a real possibility in the future 👀 who would you take in a game featuring today’s global stars?? @MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/rPBBRHUFUI
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) February 12, 2025
With the likes of Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama making significant impacts in the league, it seems the competitive landscape between U.S. and international players is shifting. As Parsons hinted, perhaps this change is precisely what the NBA requires to rekindle interest in what has become a lackluster All-Star Weekend in recent years.
