The good, bad, and unknown: recent and upcoming changes in the NBA

SAN ANTONIO,TX - APRIL 22 : Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors argues a call with official Tony Brothers In the second half of Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 22 , 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 19: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates as Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the 2023 NBA All Star Game between Team Giannis and Team LeBron at Vivint Arena on February 19, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

The bad

Now let’s discuss what makes us scratch our heads. The lone member on this list is the All-Star game/weekend. It went from being that weekend frat party you can’t miss to a student org-lead “be there or be square” outing.

In previous years, the All-Star game was a competitive and flashy showdown between the best players in each conference. We saw Kobe Bryant and the West go against LeBron James and the East. Further back, it was Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. This went on to the Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Steph Curry eras until 2017 when they changed the format.

Now the highest-voted players get to pick teams from a pool of All-Stars. As fun as that sounds, it became a glorified pick-up game instead of a contest to showcase the NBA’s best. The same can be said about the Three-point and Slam Dunk contests. We don’t see big stars participating in these competitions anymore.

They have tried mixing it up to make things interesting. For example, making the Skills challenge big men vs. guards. But it hasn’t worked. It’s hard to deny that the All-Star weekend has lost its magic over recent years.