NBA shakes up All-Star Game format with captains, playground-style draft
The NBA All-Star Game is getting a makeover.
The NBA and NBPA announced Tuesday that the 2018 All-Star Game in Los Angeles will be the first to not feature a matchup between the East and West.
Instead, two captains will be determined based on who receives the most fan votes from their respective conference, and will draft players from a pool of All-Stars.
The selection process for those All-Stars will remain the same, with each conference getting 12 representatives, including five starters determined by fans, players, and media, and seven reserves chosen by coaches.
Under the new format, the star-studded squads will play for charity, with donations from February's exhibition game at Staples Center going toward either a local charity or a national organization that supports efforts in LA.
The changes come following plenty of criticism over what the ASG has devolved into over the years: a tiresome spectacle with far too many points scored thanks to the utter lack of defense. Last year's edition saw the East team lose despite putting 182 points on the board ... because they surrendered 192 to the West. It was the fourth straight year the teams broke a scoring record.
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Houston Rockets point guard Chris Paul watched that game from home, and knew changes needed to be made. The nine-time All-Star, who also happens to be the president of the Players' Association, reached out to commissioner Adam Silver, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts, and Michael Jordan to get the ball rolling on a solution.
The one they arrived to was largely influenced by players, a source told USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt.
"I'm thrilled with what the players and league have done to improve the All-Star Game, which has been a priority for all of us," Paul raved.