Los Angeles Lakers Legend Begs the NBA’s Commissioner to Replace the All-Star Game

On Tuesday, it was reported that Silver and Byron Spruell, the NBA’s president of league operations, said that the league has started discussions about the future of the All-Star weekend. According to the league, they have started talking to the NBA Players Association and broadcast partner NBC about putting an international competition over the current format of the main event.

“Our All-Star Game will return to NBC next season in the middle of their coverage of the Winter Olympics,” Silver told The Athletic. “Given the strong interest we’ve seen in international basketball competitions, most recently in last summer’s Olympics in Paris, we’re discussing concepts with the players association that focus on NBA players representing their countries or regions instead of the more traditional formats that we’ve used in the past.”

According to Spruell, some ideas involving international play could feature a U.S. versus the rest of the world format.

“NBC is very much leaning into it, given their role — we are, as well,” Spruell added, according to The Athletic. “Looking to do something new and different yet again, but excited about the possibility.”

Los Angeles Lakers’ Magic Johnson is excited to see a new format in place

Like most fans, the Los Angeles Lakers’ legend wants to see something new in the All-Star weekend.

“m excited about the possibility of replacing the current All Star Game format with an international competition. Please make this happen Commissioner Adam Silver! It would create so much excitement around the world!” Johnson posted.

The All-Star game isn’t as competitive as it once was when the Los Angeles Lakers star was active. A breath of fresh air in changing the traditions could improve the league’s viewership, a major concern for the NBA.