Draymond Green shreds NBA’s new All-Star format in middle of game’s broadcast
Draymond Green did not hold back when giving his view of the NBA All-Star Game’s new format.
The Warriors star ripped the structure during TNT’s broadcast between the first and second games, calling it “unfair” to guys who worked to earn the right to be called an All-Star.
Under the new format, the All-Star Game is a mini-tournament comprised of four teams of eight players that compete in a semifinal match before the winners advance to the championship game.
In order to advance, the first team that reaches 40 points wins, which didn’t sit right with Green.
“You work all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40 and then you’re done. This is so unfair to Victor Wembanyama, who just took this game really seriously,” Green said on air. “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just took this game really seriously. When you talk about chasing after the points record, Melo, Kobe and all these guys that had great scoring nights. They don’t get the opportunity to do that with this game.
“You work all year to be an All-Star. And you get to play up to 40 and then you’re done… Cmon what are we doing? This is ridiculous.”Draymond Green GOES OFF on the new All-Star Game format 👀Agree or disagree with Draymond? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OCJjn0H7et— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 17, 2025
Draymond Green is pictured during the All-Star Game halftime show on Feb. 16. Screengrab via X/@ClutchPoints
“All so we can watch some rising stars. We about to watch the Olympic team, now we get the treat of watching the Olympic team play against a U-19 team. Come on, what are we doing? This is ridiculous.”
He later added: “This sucks, it ain’t basketball.”
Adam Silver is pictured during a press conference on Feb. 15. Getty Images
Green voiced his displeasure earlier in the night as well when he was on the pregame show discussing the inclusion of a team from the Rising Stars Challenge.
While three of the teams in the All-Star Game are comprised of star NBA players, the fourth team is comprised of first and second-year players who won the Rising Stars Challenge earlier in All-Star Weekend.
Green referred to Team Candice, as it is officially called, as a “team that no one wants to see” before railing against their inclusion.
Draymond Green drives to the basket during the Warriors’ game on Feb. 13. Getty Images
“Those guys did not make the All-Star team, Green said. “To be playing in the All-Star Game when you did not make the All-Star team, it’s absurd.”
The change in the format for the All-Star Game was a push by the NBA as the league tries to reinvigorate enthusiasm around the event, which has lost intensity and interest in recent years.
