{"id":113716,"date":"2024-12-23T20:26:49","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T01:26:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=113716"},"modified":"2024-12-23T20:26:49","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T01:26:49","slug":"spurs-victor-wembanyama-new-all-star-game-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/23\/spurs-victor-wembanyama-new-all-star-game-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Spurs\u2019 Victor Wembanyama, New Blood Is All All-Star Game Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The new NBA All-Star Game format has become a talking point for fans, media, and players alike. Phoenix Suns superstar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant<\/a> has candidly stated that he <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/geraldbourguet\/status\/1869112296284541336?s=46&amp;t=wi4lwy44ptAPzCOfNGn4lw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">isn\u2019t a fan of it<\/a>. Los Angeles Lakers megastar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a> doesn\u2019t even want <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mcten\/status\/1869837077589962821?s=46&amp;t=wi4lwy44ptAPzCOfNGn4lw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">to think about it<\/a>. San Antonio Spurs rising star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wembavi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Victor Wembanyama<\/a> \u00a0just wants the All-Star Game to be competitive again.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Victor Wembanyama on the new All-Star game format:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m personally wondering how to put competitiveness back into the All-Star game. When I set foot on that court though, I\u2019m gonna be competitive for sure. But I don\u2019t think anything beats the old school East vs. West format.\u201d\u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cvhTWYn5et\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/cvhTWYn5et<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LegionHoops\/status\/1870912224371589452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>What has been made clear by everyone is that there needs to be a change. The problem is that there likely won\u2019t be a major one until the next generation of players has firm footing. To that point, the issue was never the All-Star Game format, just <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/19\/2021-nba-draft-has-5-potential-first-time-all-stars\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">the need for new blood<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Spurs\u2019 Victor Wembanyama, New Blood All All-Star Game Needs<\/h2>\n<p>NBA commissioner Adam Silver can\u2019t be faulted for his decision.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">BREAKING: New All-Star game format for the NBA in 2025 released!<\/p>\n<p>What are your thoughts? <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9yBIhSbC5Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/9yBIhSbC5Q<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Aullie CFB Report (@BYUFanA) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BYUFanA\/status\/1869107678225797198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 17, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, it\u2019s his responsibility to make the league as marketable as possible. He can\u2019t directly control a player\u2019s effort but he can try to manipulate other factors and get a similar result. This hasn\u2019t just been borne out in the change of the All-Star Game format but the emergence of the In-Season Tournament.<\/p>\n<p>To that point, the primary reason the In-Season Tournament exists is to motivate well-paid athletes to care about the regular season just a little bit more. Now, the NBA has been forced to use its imagination \u2014again \u2014due to the players\u2019 reluctance to take the All-Star Game seriously.<\/p>\n<p>The fact of the matter is that there may not need to be a change of formats though. The inevitable changing of the guards will suffice. Respectfully, there are too many stars who believe themselves above giving their all in the NBA All-Star Game. Dallas Mavericks guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/doncilu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luka Doncic<\/a> and Denver Nuggets center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jokicni01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikola Jokic<\/a> are two of the biggest culprits, taking fewer than 10 or fewer field goal attempts in <em>each<\/em> of the last five All-Star Games.<\/p>\n<p>When they\u2019re allowed in the door, players like Wembanyama figure to take the competition much more seriously. This isn\u2019t just at the offensive end but defensively, which has been an even bigger problem for viewers. To that point, only one All-Star Game has seen both teams held under 150 points in the last 10 years.<\/p>\n<h3>There\u2019s No Excuse<\/h3>\n<p>Perhaps it <em>was<\/em> the rules that the NBA began to enforce in 2018. Psychologically, players probably would take the competition more seriously if the All-Star Game wasn\u2019t comparable to a pickup game. Given the prideful nature of players, they could also feel more motivation to represent their respective conference than a team leader.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of their reasons though, there\u2019s still no excuse for their lackluster effort. Even the well-documented concerns about getting out of an exhibition game without an injury don\u2019t hold up. The only major injury that\u2019s occurred during the All-Star Game in recent memory is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wadedw01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dwyane Wade<\/a> (accidentally) breaking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bryanko01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kobe Bryant<\/a>\u2019s nose in the <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/euLvKkoxM68?si=j9G8xdfICP6nGNgB\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2012 All-Star Game<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When this next generation of fearless and ultra-competitive stars \u2014the young dogs \u2014are at the forefront of the NBA, expect much more effort. As many will be getting their first tastes of the All-Star Game, it adds to the excitement.<\/p>\n<h3>Who\u2019s Next Up?<\/h3>\n<p>Everyone wants to know who\u2019ll step into James\u2019s shoes when he retires, with Wembanyama given the best chance of accomplishing that feat. Yet, there are other luminaries who must be replaced.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, Minnesota Timberwolves star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/edwaran01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Edwards<\/a> is talked about like the second coming of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jordami01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Jordan<\/a>. Since Bryant was already given that mantle, that makes the former No. 1 closer to the second coming of the Black Mamba.<\/p>\n<p>Charlotte Hornets point guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/ballla01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LaMelo Ball<\/a> is the New Generation Melo, a nickname he shares with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/19\/vince-carter-carmelo-anthony-headlines-2025-hall-of-fame-class\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame<\/a> nominee <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anthoca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carmelo Anthony<\/a>. However, Orlando Magic forward <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/banchpa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paolo <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/banchpa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Banchero\u2019s<\/a> skillset is the closest to his fellow former top-three pick.<\/p>\n<p>Then there\u2019s Houston Rockets guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/greenja05.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Green<\/a>, who springs off the hardwood like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cartevi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vince Carter<\/a>. Memphis Grizzlies guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/moranja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ja Morant<\/a>\u2019s explosiveness inspires images of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rosede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derrick Rose<\/a>. Potential 2025 No. 1 pick Dylan Harper could be <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/17\/nba-draft-dylan-harpers-time-cooper-flagg-not-no-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">even better than his father<\/a>. Projected 2026 No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/dXt_cTfUc38?si=bqu5xCjwAe0LbZHz\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">sees himself<\/a> as a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcgratr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tracy McGrady<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With that being said, the league is already in good hands now but the future is truly exciting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The new NBA All-Star Game format has become a talking point for fans, media, and players alike. Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant has candidly stated that he isn\u2019t a fan of it. Los Angeles Lakers megastar LeBron James doesn\u2019t even want to think about it. San Antonio Spurs rising star Victor Wembanyama \u00a0just wants the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":113806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34,1608,7,30,20,31,26,32,21,62,556,17],"tags":[49353,2109,49668,1822,3256,823,1133,639,98,72,4669],"class_list":["post-113716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spurs","category-basketball","category-hornets","category-mavericks","category-nuggets","category-rockets","category-lakers","category-grizzlies","category-timberwolves","category-nba","category-nba-draft","category-magic","tag-aj-dybantsa","tag-anthony-edwards","tag-dylan-harper","tag-ja-morant","tag-jalen-green","tag-lamelo-ball","tag-luka-doncic","tag-nba-all-star","tag-nba-draft","tag-nikola-jokic","tag-victor-wembanyama"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113716"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":113807,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113716\/revisions\/113807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/113806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}