J-Speaks: NBA All-Star Game Selection Process Reformatted

For many years, the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) All-Star Game has been considered one of the best unofficial mid-season classic in all pro sports. In recent years though, the game has lost its luster, particularly last year’s in New Orleans, when the game resembled a glorified up, and down game where there was no defense played at all. Earlier this week, NBA, and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) a new format for the 2018 All-Game in Los Angeles, CA. 

Under the new format, there will no longer be a matchup of the Eastern Conference versus the Western Conference. 

The teams will be chosen by two captains, who will draft the 2018 All-Star teams from the pool of players voted as starters, and reserves, regardless the conference they are affiliated with. The captains will be the All-Star Game starters from the East, and West, and they will be chosen by those who receive the most fan votes in their respective conference. 

“I’m thrilled with what the players, and the league have done improve the All-Star Game, which has been a priority for all of us,” NBPA President, and Houston Rockets lead guard Chris Paul said on Tuesday. “We’re looking forward to putting on an entertaining show in L.A.” 

“We’re excited about the new All-Star format, and appreciate the players’ willingness to try something new,” NBA President, League Operations Byron Spruell said. 

Another new feature beginning with the 2018 All-Star Game is that instead of each player getting paid for participation in the game, the teams will be playing for charity. The two teams will select a Los Angeles-area charity, or national organization where those donations will be used to support efforts locally. 

“I think the league has been searching for a way to make the game more competitive,” former head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and now NBATV analyst Mike Fratello said on Oct. 3 edition of NBATV’s “Gametime.”

“I personally have not enjoyed watching what is supposed to be our showcase for the last few years. I think the players have taken, ‘It’s all about fun, and taken it a little bit too far.’"

Perennial All-Star, and four-time league MVP LeBron James concurred by saying on Oct. 9 to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, "I don't see it as a bad idea. We had to do something. The All-Star Game has been pretty bad the last couple of years just from a competition standpoint. Trying to switch it up. Just like how the dunk contest was at one point, it was great, then it wasn't so well, so they had to switch it up."

The one thing that will remain the same is how 24 players will be selected, with 12 players from each conference earning a spot. The two starting quintets, consisting of two guards, and three frontcourt players, will continue to be selected by the combination of fan votes, which constitutes 50 percent of the vote; 25 percent of the vote from current players, and the other 25 percent from the media that cover basketball. The 14 reserves between the two teams will still be selected by NBA head coaches, casting their votes for two guards, three frontcourt players, and two players at any position in their respective conference. 

The two captains will then draft who they want on their team for the game, and the time of when that will take place will be determined.

 “They’re trying. They’re, like baseball” Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony, at 10-time All-Star said about the new All-Star Game format. “Long as they don’t put in whoever wins gets home court.” 

“One step at a time. They still trying to figure out ways how to make the actual game exciting again, where guys can compete. Guys can play. We’ll see what happens with that.” 

Anthony was also asked if he were a captain, who is No. 1 pick would be, and he answered by saying his new teammates Russell Westbrook, and Paul George. “It’s obvious.”

The other part that will remain intact is how the coaches will be selected for the 2018 unofficial mid-season classic. The head coach, whose team clinches the best record in their respective conferences two weeks before the All-Star Game will get the nod. Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, and Steve Kerr of the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors are ineligible this season to earn that nod seeing that they coached in the game in New Orleans the year prior. 

While these changes are good, the bottom-line though, the players who get the nod to play in the game, it’s up to them to put forward the effort, and energy for four quarters. Meaning, playing some form of defense should be priority No. 1 in these games, along with displaying athletic acts like dunking the ball off a fast break past; interacting with the fans courtside, and making the kind of passes that have you dropping you. 

“You’re the greatest players in the game. People are coming, and sponsors are sponsoring, and putting a lot of money into this to watch you on that weekend,” Fratello said. 

“It’s our biggest event of the year next to The NBA Finals. The championship. We haven’t put on the show that people want. We haven’t put the competitive game out there that people are hoping for, or looking for. Let’s see the greatest players really play hard against each other, and see what it’s about, and if this gets it done, then terrific.” 

The culmination of the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend, the 67 Annual NBA All-Star Game will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018 at 8 p.m., for the 16^th straight year on TNT. 

Information, and quotations are courtesy of 10/3/17 official release on NBA.com, “No More East vs. West as NBA Revamps All-Star Game Format;” 10/4/17 7 a.m. edition of NBATV’s “Gametime,” with Matt Winer, and Mike Fratello; and www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/okc/oklahoma-city-thunder.