Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to see USA vs. World format for NBA All-Star Game

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to see USA vs. World format for NBA All-Star Game

New year, new All-Star Game format … or at least that’s how the NBA’s operated in recent seasons.

Last month, commissioner Adam Silver spoke to reporters and hinted at yet another possible change after his tournament-style format flamed out. He mentioned that the league was “discussing concepts with the players’ association that focus on NBA players representing their countries or regions instead of the more traditional formats that we’ve used in the past.”

There hasn’t been an official change. However, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo strongly endorsed a potential Team USA v. World format idea on Twitter earlier this week.

“This should be next year All Star Game format!! Must see basketball,” Antetokounmpo tweeted Tuesday!

This should be next year All Star Game format!! Must see basketball💯🔥 https://t.co/OFtmk6JNxW

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) May 26, 2025

Last year, the NBA’s All-Star game format consisted of four teams (eight players each) play in a tournament-style format. The competition was adequate, though there were far too many random interruptions–thank you, Kevin Hart–which disrupted the entire flow of the whole event and took away from the product that people came to watch: The All-Star Game itself. Not a tribute to Inside the NBA, not Mr. Beast, none of it.

The league has tried other formats in the past–such as captains of each team drafting players, or playing for a target score in the final quarter–but the actual game itself was mostly bad. It hasn’t been good for over a decade.

Multiple NBA players voice frustration with extended breaks during 2025 All-Star Game

Thus, my biggest question for a new format is: Will the players try? Are they going to legitimately be prideful by representing their country or treat it like every other All-Star game? That’s the biggest reason why it’s continued to be a poor product, no matter the format. If players are going to actually care, then this will work. If not, back to the drawing board for an insolvable problem!

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