Ernie Johnson Jr. (left) speaks with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after the 2025 NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Everyone had the same complaint about 'worst' NBA All-Star Game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Feb 17, 2025 8:08 AM ET

Adam Silver completely revamped the 2025 edition of the NBA All-Star Game. But it was not the new format that drew fans’ ire.

The NBA All-Star Game is supposed to be about the actual "game." But a lot of the attention during Sunday’s festivities was diverted to non-basketball events scattered throughout the night.

The NBA used the All-Star Game to honor "Inside the NBA" during the show’s final year airing on TNT. Aside from having Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaq coach the teams and get on the mic for the games, tributes were also made to the "Inside the NBA" cast during breaks in the action.

Several fans voiced their frustrations on X, with many dubbing the 2025 NBA All-Star Game as the "worst" one yet.

Someone has to count up how many halftime-equivalent breaks there has been tonight this is genuinely the worst all star sunday ive ever seen
— Clique Productions (@ImClique_) February 17, 2025

The worst part of the All-Star Game changes isn't the inclusion of the Rising Stars or the first-to-40 rule or the tournament (and Draymond makes valid points). It's that there's somehow less basketball than ever. Commercials and shootouts for charity? Where is the actual game?!
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) February 17, 2025

Why tf are they doing TNT tribute video DURING THE ALL STAR GAME‍♂️‍♂️‍♂️

There have been more events than actual Basketball being played
— TheWarriorsHouse (@GSWarriorsHouse) February 17, 2025

Many also complained that comedian Kevin Hart got way too much screen time than he deserved. The Hollywood star has been a common fixture during All-Star Weekend over the last few years. But on Sunday, his shtick no longer resonated with fans who wanted to see some actual basketball being played.

it’s cool that they’re letting the NBA guys play a little basketball during the breaks of this kevin hart special
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) February 17, 2025

They brought Kevin Hart out when people just want to watch hoops? ‍♂️ #NBAAllStar #NBAAllStar2025 pic.twitter.com/uOFbnA1ata
— ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴀɴᴛᴀɢᴏɴɪᴢᴇʀ (@NoirRBR) February 17, 2025

The league may have been trying to compensate given that this year’s event was much shorter than normal. Three All-Star teams and one Rising Stars squad competed in a tournament-style competition. Each game was a race to 40 points, which is not a hard total to reach during games with minimal defense being played.

It did not help that LeBron James sat out the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in two decades. Fellow All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Edwards also failed to suit up for the contest.

The game has been criticized over the years due to the lack of competitive spirit from the All-Stars themselves. But focusing less on the basketball part of the event probably isn’t the solution.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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