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Lakers Stars Poised for All-Star Selection

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Dec 19, 2024 5:09 PM ET

NBA All-Star voting has officially begun, with Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis likely to represent Los Angeles at Chase Center on February 16. But this year's format brings significant changes that are already drawing criticism from players.

The NBA is scrapping the traditional East vs. West setup in favor of a tournament concept. The 24 selected All-Stars will be divided into three eight-player teams, with the Rising Stars Game winners forming the fourth team. Semifinals will be played to 40 points, with the championship game using a 25-point target score.

Davis, potentially heading to his 10th All-Star appearance, hasn't minced words about the new format. "I don't really like it," Davis said. "Two teams. If anything, go back to East and West. But the four teams and multiple games and all that stuff, I don't think a lot of players are going to like that."

Fans can vote daily through January 20 using the NBA App or NBA.com/vote with an NBA ID. The league has designated six triple-vote days: December 21, December 25, January 3, January 10, January 17, and January 20.

While player reaction remains mixed, the NBA's brightest stars - including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum - will still converge on San Francisco for the weekend's festivities. The All-Star Game remains a showcase for the NBA's elite talent. Whether Davis and James support the changes or not, both Lakers stars appear headed for another selection as fan voting begins. The real test will come in February, when we see if the tournament concept can deliver the competitive edge the NBA seeks.

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

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