On Tuesday, the NBA revealed that the 2025 All-Star Sport would introduce a recent format, with 4 groups competing in three completely different video games within the San Francisco Bay Space, on Sunday, February 16, on the Chase Heart. Nevertheless, a number of the reactions to those modifications have been unfavourable, together with a pointy critique from Phoenix Suns famous person Kevin Durant.
“I hate it. I completely hate it. Horrible,” Durant stated in an interview shared by journalist Gerald Bourgue, following the Suns‘ apply on Tuesday. When knowledgeable concerning the upcoming modifications, the 36-year-old ahead didn’t maintain again: “The All-Star Sport format is altering and the opposite codecs… all of it’s horrible, for my part.”
Durant shortly made it clear that he believes the NBA ought to return to its conventional format. “We must always simply return to East vs. West and simply play a sport,” Durant said, rejecting the modifications not solely to this yr’s version but additionally to the 2018 revamp that eradicated the Convention divisions for crew choice. “I believe we’ve been attempting to convey that aptitude again with All-Star Weekend however I believe we must always simply preserve it conventional.”
Regardless of his sturdy disapproval, Durant acknowledged that the brand new format may nonetheless have its deserves, even when he doesn’t see it but. “You by no means know, I may be improper. I’m simply one other man with one other opinion,” he stated with a contact of resignation. “We’ll see how that works.”
Kevin Durant #35 of Staff LeBron celebrates with the MVP trophy after their 178-164 win over Staff Giannis throughout the NBA All-Star at Spectrum Heart on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Durant is aware of what the NBA All-Star sport is all about
Kevin Durant is among the most skilled and achieved gamers in NBA All-Star historical past. Over his 18-year profession, KD has been chosen 14 instances, making him one among solely seven gamers to attain such a distinction.
His All-Star presence was uninterrupted from 2010 to 2019, with a quick hiatus because of his Achilles tendon damage. He returned to the All-Star Sport in 2021 and has been a fixture ever since. Moreover, Durant was named the MVP of the sport twice, in 2012 and 2019.
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What’s going to the brand new NBA All-Star format be like?
The most important change to the All-Star Sport for 2025 is that it’s going to not be a single exhibition sport. As a substitute, the occasion will take the type of a mini-tournament that includes three direct elimination duels.
4 groups will compete on this new format: Three groups shall be made up of the 24 All-Star gamers chosen through voting, as in earlier years. Nevertheless, these groups shall be chosen by iconic three NBA analysts—Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith—every of whom will choose eight gamers.
The fourth crew shall be composed of the winners of the Rising Stars sport, which options the league’s high first- and second-year gamers, together with standout G League expertise. This crew shall be managed by analyst and WNBA legend Candace Parker. Teaching the 4 groups would be the two finest head coaches from every Convention, based mostly on their data by way of February 2, and each of their assistant coaches.
The groups shall be cut up into two semifinal brackets, with every matchup ending when a crew reaches 40 factors. The winners will then face off in a remaining sport with the identical guidelines to find out the champion of the brand new All-Star format.
NBA All-Star prizes
The NBA has allotted a complete prize pool of $1.8 million for the revamped All-Star match. Every participant on the successful crew will obtain $125,000, whereas the runners-up will earn $50,000 every. Gamers on the groups that exit within the semifinals will nonetheless obtain $25,000 as a comfort prize.
