According to a recent report by Marc Stein on Substack, the NBA is exploring the possibility of changing the format of the All-Star Game to a USA vs. World matchup. The news emerged following a Competition Committee meeting, where Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly discussed the potential switch with committee members.
The All-Star Game, which has a rich history dating back to its inaugural edition in 1951 at the Boston Garden, currently follows a format where the starting lineups are determined through a combination of fan, player, and media voting. Head coaches then select the reserves for each conference, forming 12-man rosters. Notably, coaches cannot vote for their own players, and the NBA commissioner selects replacements for injured players.
Since 2017, the All-Star Game has seen a captain format, with the leading vote-getters from each conference serving as team captains. They have the freedom to choose their teams from the pool of All-Star reserves, regardless of conference affiliation.
