NBA commissioner Adam Silver is placing the blame on himself for the diminished intensity in recent All-Star Games.
In an interview with Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, Silver acknowledged that the league has sent out “mixed signals” to players regarding how the annual exhibition should be treated.
“So that’s why I say, I’ll take responsibility for that,” Silver said. “We’re sending mixed signals. And if we want guys to treat this like a real game, and again, this is not about Finals intensity, it’s just a fun game. But if we want players to treat it that way, we have to treat it that way. And so, it means that the introduction is going to have to be a little bit shorter, and halftime’s going to have to be a little bit more typical, starting in Indianapolis.”
Silver told Spears that he came to this realization after a conversation with Chris Paul, who explained how the All-Star Game’s elaborate introductions and extended halftime prevents players from going through their regular routines.
The NBA announced last month that it’s reverting back to the Eastern Conference versus Western Conference format for the 2024 All-Star Game. Silver said the league also plans to shorten the length of the halftime show.
“When it comes to the (All-Star) Game, we just got to make it clear to everybody involved, coaches included, that we’re looking for a basketball game,” Silver said.
The 2024 All-Star Game will take place Feb. 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
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