The NBA All-Star game has devolved into one big fast break, with epic dunks and minimal defense. Today (Oct. 3), the NBA announced that it will be changing its format.
Gone are the East vs. West, the team captains will be picking their teams.
Say what now?
The two captains will draft their 2018 All-Star teams from a pool of players who have been voted in as starters and reserves. The respective player’s conference will not matter in their selection.
The conference does matter when it comes to the team’s captain, who will be the highest vote-getter from the East and West. The 10 starters will still be chosen by a combo of fans (50%), current players (25%) and basketball media (25%) votes. The NBA’s head coaches will still pick the 14 reserves.
No word on how the “draft” process (rocks, papers, scissors?) will go down just yet.
“I’m thrilled with what the players and the league have done to improve the All-Star Game, which has been a priority for all of us,” said NBPA President Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets via a press statement. “We’re looking forward to putting on an entertaining show in L.A.”
NBA Twitter is lit.
The NBA’s 67th All-Star Game goes down in Los Angeles at the Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 18 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT), with TNT holding you down if you can’t make the trip.
Peep some of the immediate reactions below and on the flip.
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Photo: Getty
