No More East vs West, NBA Announces Changes to 2018 All Star Game Format

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For the first time in NBA history the 2018 All Star Game will not be a matchup between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference.

On Tuesday, October 3, the National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Player Association released a statement announcing that there will be no more East vs West in the All  Star Game and new changes have been made.

With the new All Star Game format players from the goal is to see top players like Lebron James and Stephen Curry play on the same team. 

This new format will have two captains chosen from the leading fan votes. The captain will select his team from the players who are voted in as starters and reserve’s. These players will be chosen regardless of which conference they come from. Selecting the 24 players will remain the same, 12 players from the east and 12 players from the west. The teams will consist of 10 starters including two guards, which will be selected by a combination of fan votes, basketball players and basketball media. The 14 reserves will be selected by head coaches. They will vote for two guards, three front court players and two players of any position long as it’s from their conference. The head coaches are chosen based on whichever team chosen by votes had the best record.

The new changes to the NBA All Star Game format is set to take place next year before Spring season begins.

Here are how some of the players and members of the NBA responded to the new All Star Game format:

NBPA President Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets said he was thrilled with what the players and the league have done to improve the All-Star Game.

“We’re looking forward to putting on an entertaining show in L.A.” Paul said

Byron Spruell, NBA President, League Operations, also said he was excited about the new All Star format.

Stephen Curry says he thinks the change is great for the game to spice it up a little bit.

“I think it really would have been interesting if they would have picked 24 All Stars total,” Steve Kerr said.

However, Richard Jefferson of the Cavaliers isn’t too thrilled about the new changes. He said he is fed up with what the NBA All Star Game has devolved to.

It’s really kind of a joke,” Jefferson said.

The 2018 All Star Game voting process is hosted by Verizon and will begin on Monday December 25 on ESPN, ABC and TNT.

The 2018 All Star Game starters and captains will be revealed Thursday, January 18, 2018 on TNT. The reserves will be revealed on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 on TNT.

On Sunday, February 18, 2018 the 67th NBA All Star Game will be held at the Staples Center at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on TNT.


Tamara Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin