LeBron James says NBA All-Star Game had to change, but bigger issues need to be addressed

Sacramento: After the Lakers’ shootaround, LeBron James shared his thoughts on the upcoming changes to the NBA All-Star Game. He said, “something had to change,” and he’s right. The league is shaking things up with a new tournament-style format for the 2025 game.

This new setup will feature four teams, each with eight players. One team will come from the Rising Stars Challenge, showcasing young talent, while the other three will be traditional All-Star teams, drafted by some big names like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.

When asked about the changes, LeBron didn’t hold back. He pointed out that the All-Star Game is just a part of a bigger issue. He mentioned, “There’s a lot of f—ing 3s being shot,” highlighting that the conversation needs to go beyond just the All-Star format.

He acknowledged that any change can bring some pushback, but he believes it’s necessary. Last year’s All-Star Game was a bit of a snooze-fest, ending with a score of 211-186, which didn’t sit well with fans.

While LeBron is cautiously optimistic, Kevin Durant wasn’t as thrilled about the new format. He flat-out said he “hates it” and thinks they should just go back to the East-West format. It’s clear that opinions are mixed.

LeBron sees the All-Star Game issues as a reflection of the NBA’s broader challenges. He pointed out that the rise in 3-point shooting is affecting the quality of play and even the league’s TV ratings. Teams are averaging over 30 3-point attempts per game, with the Celtics leading the pack.

Interestingly, teams that shoot more 3s tend to win more often, but that strategy has its critics. Viewership for NBA games is down 19% across major networks, and it’s a topic that’s been buzzing around the league.

With all these changes and challenges, it might be worth it for Commissioner Adam Silver to sit down with LeBron and hear his ideas. After all, he’s been in the game long enough to know what might work.