Giannis Antetokounmpo wants a major shake-up to the NBA All-Star Game format. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar believes a USA vs. World matchup would create the most exciting and competitive event.
“I would love that. I think that would be the most interesting and the most exciting format,” Antetokounmpo said. “For sure, I’ll take pride in that. I always compete, but I think that will give me a little bit more extra juice.”
Antetokounmpo pointed to the abundance of international talent in the league, envisioning a roster featuring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Alperen Sengun. He believes a team like that facing off against the best American-born stars would elevate the competition.
“I think that would be the best format,” he added. “It would be fun.”
The comments come in the wake of the 2025 NBA All-Star Championship, which replaced the traditional All-Star Game with a single-elimination tournament. The event, held at Chase Center in San Francisco, featured four teams drafted by TNT analysts and concluded with Shaq’s OGs winning the title.
Stephen Curry, who led his team to victory, was named All-Star MVP in what was the final All-Star Game broadcast on TNT before coverage shifts to NBC next season. The format change was the latest in a series of adjustments aimed at reviving All-Star Weekend.
The NBA has struggled in recent years to make the All-Star Game competitive. Player effort has been a recurring issue, with past games often resembling pickup basketball rather than a high-stakes battle between elite athletes.
A USA vs. World format could add a level of national pride and intensity, similar to what is seen in international competitions like the Olympics and FIBA World Cup. The concept has already been successfully implemented in the Rising Stars Challenge, which previously featured Team USA against Team World.
The league has yet to indicate whether further changes to the All-Star Game format are under consideration. However, with international stars playing an increasingly prominent role in the NBA, Antetokounmpo’s idea could gain traction.
As the NBA continues to explore ways to make the All-Star Game more engaging, a USA vs. World showdown may be a concept worth serious consideration. With superstars like Antetokounmpo pushing for the change, the league could be one step closer to revamping its midseason showcase.
