Victor Wembanyama played with intensity in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, standing out in a game that lacked energy. He later emphasized the importance of giving full effort:
“My biggest takeaway is that it’s possible to give 100% on that court, to play hard, to play your ass off.”
Kevin O’Connor responded to Wembanyama’s effort, saying, “Victor Wembanyama gives me hope for the future of the All-Star Game.”
Many share O’Connor’s sentiment. The All-Star Game has lost its competitiveness, turning into a glorified shootaround. The NBA has tried multiple fixes, but none have worked. Wembanyama, with his mindset and playstyle, could change that.
Wembanyama Will Save All-Star Game By Starting New Culture
NBA All-Star Game Falls Behind the NHL
The NBA’s declining All-Star Game ratings reflect its growing lack of appeal. The 2025 game failed to capture fan interest, while the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off soared in viewership.
The U.S.-Canada showdown in the NHL’s new tournament pulled in 4.4 million average viewers, peaking at 5.2 million. That made it the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final hockey broadcast since 2019. Meanwhile, the NBA’s All-Star Game averaged 5.4 million viewers in 2024, marking the second-lowest rating ever.
This contrast shows the NBA’s problem: fans want competition. The NHL’s new format introduced real stakes, while the NBA’s midseason showcase has lost its intensity.
The NBA’s Failed Fixes
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has admitted the All-Star Game needs improvement. Over the years, the league experimented with different formats:
- All-Star Draft (2018-2023): Players picked teams instead of traditional conferences.
- Elam Ending (2020-2022): Games ended on a target score instead of a timed fourth quarter.
- 2025 Format: A four-team tournament, where games ended when a team reached 40 points.
These changes aimed to increase engagement but failed to restore competitiveness. The All-Star Game remains a low-effort exhibition.
Superstars no longer care about the game’s prestige. Players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant once competed fiercely for the All-Star MVP trophy. Today’s stars prioritize avoiding injury over entertaining fans.
Wembanyama’s Influence Can Start a New Culture
Wembanyama’s attitude offers a solution. Unlike many stars, he treated the 2025 All-Star Game as a real competition. If he maintains this approach, younger players may follow his lead.
NBA legends like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal often criticize today’s stars for coasting through games. Wembanyama’s effort could force veterans to match his intensity or risk being outshined.
His defensive presence alone can change the game’s flow. If Wembanyama blocks shots and contests layups, others might start playing defense too. His competitive mindset could bring back the All-Star Game’s lost intensity. Let’s not forget that Wembanyama may be the first superstar to attempt to win the All-Star trifecta- All-Star game MVP, Dunk Contest Champion and three-point contest champion. He could save the All-Star shebang.
All-Star Weekend Needs More Than Just Wembanyama
While Wembanyama can inspire change, the NBA must still make structural adjustments.
- Return to East vs. West: Kevin Durant, one of the league’s top stars, called the 2025 format “terrible.” Bringing back conference battles would restore tradition.
- Incentives for Winning: The league should introduce financial bonuses or charitable donations for the winning team.
Effort alone won’t solve the All-Star Game’s problems. The league must give players a reason to compete.
Saturday Night Struggles: The Dunk Contest’s Decline
The Dunk Contest used to be the highlight of All-Star Weekend. In the 1980s and 1990s, stars like Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Vince Carter made it must-watch television. Today, top players avoid participating.
This year’s field included two rookies, one second-year player, and Mac McClung, a G League star with five NBA games played. The lack of big names has hurt the contest’s appeal.
Even the three-point contest, which gained momentum with the Stephen Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu showdown in 2024, failed to repeat its success in 2025. The NBA hoped to add Caitlin Clark, but she declined, preferring to make her debut in the WNBA All-Star Game. The league couldn’t even get Curry to appear in the three-point contest in his own backyard.
TNT’s Exit Could Mark the End of an Era
One major shift in 2025 is the loss of Inside the NBA from All-Star coverage. TNT’s O’Neal, Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson have been the heart of All-Star Weekend since 2003. With NBC taking over, their future involvement is uncertain.
Barkley has already declined an offer from NBC, raising questions about the network’s ability to replace Inside the NBA’s impact. The All-Star Game’s struggles could worsen without its most beloved broadcast team.
The NBA Must Learn from Wembanyama
Wembanyama has shown that effort and competitiveness can make the All-Star Game watchable again. His mindset could lead a new generation of players to take the event seriously.
The NBA needs to recognize this moment. Wembanyama alone cannot fix the game, but he represents the mentality the league must embrace. If the NBA doesn’t act, it risks falling further behind sports like the NHL.
Wembanyama has issued a challenge—now it’s up to the rest of the league to respond.
© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
