In an attempt to make the All-Star Game more competitive, the NBA thought it would be a good idea to do away with the traditional format.
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That is, instead of the typical game set-up ("East vs. West," or "Team LeBron vs. Steph Curry"), NBA commissioner Adam Silver decided to switch things up this year, by having four separate teams and two different rounds of games.
This new experimental implementation was seemingly put in place by the league in hopes of raising the intensity and effort level from the players. However, it may have actually had the opposite effect, as what fans saw on the court resembled a typical pick-up basketball game that you would find at your local LA fitness.
2025 NBA All Star Game will go down as the worst all star weekend in any sport ever
This format is so bad
— Boltsandbuckeyes (@chargersownme) February 17, 2025
The main rule change included a new 40-point target score, which meant there was no game clock.
However, even that didn't go smoothly, as it felt as if the viewers at home had to watch more commercials than actual basketball.
NBA All-Star game Minutes:
Game 1: 10:07
Game 2: 12.54
Game 3: 10.40
A total of 33 minutes of 41 seconds.
2 hours and 26 minutes of commercials/fluff.
We didn't get a full 48 minutes of ball. 🤣🤣🤣#NBAAllStar2025 #NBAAllStar
— Sam (@Sfh986) February 17, 2025
With this in mind, five minutes into the final round, (as Team Shaq was beating Team Chuck 11-1), there was a 30-minute long intermission break taken.
NBA: “We want the players to take the All Star Game more seriously”
Middle of the game: pic.twitter.com/bYGUYiBsBN
— Geofferson (@geoF_THAT) February 17, 2025
One fan sarcastically said, "Just watched the NBA's 2025 Commercial Weekend. Who are all these guys in jerseys?"
40 point target score, 5 minutes of basketball and then 30 minutes of intermission, 90% of the players not caring, Draymond Green complaining the entire time, Kevin Hart trying to steal the show.
This was the worst NBA All Star game of all time. pic.twitter.com/21Lx0ip34G
— Daig Muse⚡️ (@DaigMuse) February 17, 2025
About the only intriguing part of the night happened during the break period in between the games, when a fan won $100,000 for defeating Damian Lillard in a long-distance shooting competition.
Best part of the #NBAAllStar Game?
Mr. Beast challenged a fan named Jaren to hit one logo shot — before Damian Lillard hit 3 of them — he did and won 100 K... 🏀💰 pic.twitter.com/Sfne9Wlwrc
— Jennifer X. Williams (@JenXperience) February 17, 2025
And in view of the actual game, despite multiple complaints of dissatisfaction, with fans calling it the "worst All-Star game of all time," there was a storybook ending.
That is, after Team Shaq's OG's defeated Team Chuck's Global Stars, 41-25, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry was announced as MVP in front of the Bay Area home crowd.
Steph Curry wins the Kobe Bryant Trophy as the 2025 #KiaAllStarMVP!
In front of the home fans in the Bay 🙌🏆 pic.twitter.com/bfa9ezFxtc
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
36-year-old Curry put up a total of 20 points and 10 rebounds across his two games, and had arguably the best play of the night when he hit a half court shot.
Steph Curry just won All-Star game MVP with this shotpic.twitter.com/pHqDupgKzC
— WG (@NvictusManeo) February 17, 2025
Related: Fans Boo As Chris Paul And Victor Wembanyama Attempt To Cheat During NBA Skills Competition
