We may never see the traditional NBA All Star weekend again. For the 2018 NBA Season, the All-Star Game in Los Angeles with East and West talent packed teams are to be discontinued. No longer will we see a lack of defense in what everyone may see imbalanced teams. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced a new All-Star Game format. This will mark the NBA’s first All-Star Game without a matchup between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Under the new format with a set of playground rules, two captains will draft the 2018 All-Star teams from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves, making selections without regard for conference affiliation. This may lead to the biggest stars we normally see against each other-with each other. The All Star process will remain the same to a minimum. Two guards and three frontcourt players will be voted onto the team by the fans, players, and media. They will be the starters. The remaining 14 will be chosen by the NBA player team captain.The captains will be the All-Star starter from each conference who receives the most fan votes in his conference. They are not the coach, so they’re still playing with who they’ve chosen. Most fans can already predict who these two stars will be. However, anything can happen within the voting system.

Had you dreamed of Stephen Curry playing alongside LeBron James? Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving? It can happen now. Shouldn’t someone mention how unfair this could be? Coincidentally, fairness was one of the main reasons for changing the format in the first place. Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose on the same? Imagine that much explosiveness. On a fast break, you would have no idea who was going to catch the lob or just upright dunk on the opponent. I’m saying there’s a likely chance this may happen. Many people consider this game to be like a fantasy league matchup or a competitive scrimmage.  Fans that have watched the NBA progress over 71 years would have never expected this. Tradition was meant to be everlasting. No more. Putting opposing conference stars on the same team will generate much money for the NBA as increase the viewings. This was a move fans had been asking for with the Western Conference being the more dominant of the two over the last decade-plus, but it was totally unanticipated. The other All Star weekend events such as the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, JBL Three-Point Contest, and NBA Celebrity game are yet to be changed. The way this year’s NBA season is starting off it wouldn’t be a surprise if those events were changed dramatically as well. All events are full of excitement and competitive nature for the simple joy of the fans and charity contributions.

This new All Star game format will not be very distant from the regular. The rules really only change how the teams are set up. Most NBA fans favor this change. Their opinions are expressed over social media such as twitter and instagram. It will be really interesting to see who picks who and to possibly see stars of the same conference to go at it on the court. We are all looking forward to an entertaining show in Los Angeles. Also, an increase of defense should be present. The players literally have no clue who they will go against like previous years. Then, all money is going to charity for local efforts. However, one con is that the All Star game is now considered a popularity contest by the captains. The captains may pick their closest friends, players no one wouldnt have thought of.  This discriminates the newer players in the league who may have more skill or talent than those older than them. Rather than deep relationships and veteran years. Overall, the new format should be interesting. You can conclude that since the east is not as competitive as the west, the NBA executives took this into consideration before the dramatic change.  

This All Star game will be solely played for a charity of each teams choice. It can be located in Los Angeles or nationwide. All donations and proceeds will be sent accordingly. Donating to a charity will possible increase sponsorship within the league, gain more publicity and better ratings.The NBA as an organization that plays all star weekend for a cause and not their own benefit. A great way to influence others and represent the real definition of NBA Cares.The process for determining the 2018 All-Star Game head coaches is still the same. The head coaches whose teams in each conference clinch the best record two weeks before the All-Star Game will earn the nod, though the Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr and the Boston Celtics’ Brad Stevens are ineligible for the honor because they coached in the 2017 All-Star Game. Each All-Star Game coach will lead the team that includes the captain from the same conference. We are all excited for this new format. What a way to improve entertainment in the Sports Industry! The 67th All-Star Game will be played at Staples Center on Sunday, February 18th at 8pm ET, with TNT televising the midseason breakout for the 16th consecutive year.

“I think it mixes it up, I think in some way it will make it more competitive and also it will be interesting to see who picks who. It is an elite fraternity in this league.” – Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers PF