The NBA All-Star Game has been criticized for years, with fans and media alike citing a lack of excitement and effort as their reasons for being disappointed in the display. Players have noticed the criticism. Some even share the same thought process, at least to an extent.
While some have stated their opinion on the format changes, a few of them have gone into detail about what they would like to see. Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke at his presser during All-Star Weekend and gave his thoughts on a few ideas that he supported for improving the festivities.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Likes Potential of U.S. vs. World All-Star Game
In the current NBA landscape, several international superstars have made a name for themselves as the game has gone global. With so many stars in the league currently, the idea was floated around for a potential United States vs. the World game to take the place of Western Conference vs. Eastern Conference.
Antetokounmpo is on board with this proposed idea and detailed why he believes it would be great for All-Star Weekend.
“I would love that. Oh, I would love that. I think that would be the most interesting and most exciting format. I would love that. For sure, I’d take pride in that. I always compete, but I think that will give me a little bit more extra juice to compete, like having Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], [Nikola] Jokić, Luka [Dončić], Wemby [Victor Wembanyama], [Karl-Anthony] Towns, [Alperen] Şengün.
“I know those players — obviously I’m missing some guys that I cannot think from the top of my head, going against the best U.S. players. I think it would be fun. I think that would be the best format.”
Antetokounmpo understands that any changes to the All-Star Weekend would need full support, so he made sure to direct the media to the person they needed to talk to:
“We have the NBA Entertainment guy here in the back. You guys talk to that guy. He can make it happen. … U.S. versus the World, that would be an exciting format. I feel like that would make people play hard.
“Hopefully, we can get it back to where it was. I remember the first couple of years that I was an All-Star, everybody was playing hard. I feel like the last game that was played hard was 2020, and after that, it’s not been as hard.”
Should the NBA Have All-Star Weekend Overseas?
One idea that has been discussed for years now is the concept of doing All-Star Weekend overseas. While we’ve seen the NBA All-Star Game take the show to Toronto, the potential for All-Star Weekend overseas could be major.
Antetokounmpo addressed this idea as well in his press conference, stating that he would be on board:
“It would be fun. That would be really fun. Having a game in, like, Paris. Also a game in Paris, it’s going to be hard for you guys to get there. They’d probably pay for your tickets and your hotel room and everything. But that would be really, really fun. Having a game in the UK or a game in Paris. Or having a game in Greece, obviously is a small country, but why not?
“That would be — or having a game in China. Having a game in China, an All-Star Game in China, and all the stars go there for a weekend and play the game, that would be fun. I think it would bring more attention to the game and more fun.”
The NBA would see fanfare like no other if they were able to bring All-Star Weekend overseas. Just the sheer excitement of it being the first All-Star Game to travel would have the fans and local media pumped up.
The question is, where would they go? China is a huge supporter of the NBA, as well as Paris, Greece, and many other locations. The challenge might not be bringing the game overseas but narrowing down their choices.
