ALL-STAR GAMES: A DYING TRADITION

There was a time when the NBA All-Star Game was the pinnacle of sports entertainment—a clash of the best from the East and West that felt meaningful.
Fans eagerly anticipated the weekend, while players relished the chance to showcase their skills on a grand stage.
Those days are gone.
The NBA All-Star Game, once a marquee event, has become a relic of the past. Viewership has plummeted—down 29% in ratings and 27% in overall audience between 2022 and 2023. The 2025 version of the event, scheduled for Feb. 16, comes with yet another revamped format, but no tweak seems capable of solving the problem: neither fans nor players care anymore.
Instead of intense competition, today’s All-Star Games are glorified shootouts, devoid of defense and filled with half-hearted dunks and endless three-point attempts. The lack of effort and stakes has turned what used to be a thrilling showcase into a forgettable exhibition.
Even the once-celebrated Dunk Contest has been reduced to an uninspiring display, with few stars willing to participate and audiences often left wondering who this or that player is.
For 2025, the NBA is introducing a new format in a desperate attempt to reignite interest. The 24 selected players will now be split into four teams chosen by “Inside the NBA” personalities, with games played to 40 points in a playground-style competition. While it’s an intriguing idea on paper, it’s hard to imagine it reversing years of decline.
The first 10 players selected for the 2025 All-Star Game were announced Thursday, January 23:
Representing the East:
- Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Representing the West:
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Once an unmissable event for fans and players alike, the All-Star Game is now a cautionary tale of a tradition left behind by the evolution of the sport. The modern NBA’s obsession with three-point shooting and casual gameplay has stripped the event of its competitive edge and charm.
As the league tinkers with formats and gimmicks to bring fans back, it’s worth admitting: it is time for everyone to accept that the All-Star concept has simply run its course.