By: Zach Walker and Will Burger
On Tuesday, September 29, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced major changes to the NBA All-Star Game that will begin to take effect in the upcoming 2018 game in Los Angeles.
The 67th All-Star Game will be the first All-Star Game to not be played between the greatest players from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Following new rules, two chosen captains will draft their teams with players who are voted to be starting players and reserves. The captains are chosen based on who received the most combined votes from fans (50%), players (25%), and the media (25%).
Each conference will have 12 players who are voted to play. The 10 starters will be selected by voting and the NBA’s head coaches will vote to determine the 14 reserves.
The NBA head coaches will be chosen to coach the two teams based on their team’s record two weeks prior to the All-Star Game, and coaches cannot coach the All-Star Game for two consecutive years.
Also, the players on each team will be competing for local charities, which will add more competition to the game. Each of the teams will select a local charity to which they will donate to.
Houston Rockets guard and NBPA president Chris Paul responded to the announcement of the new rules with a very positive viewpoint. He said, “I am thrilled with what the players and the league have done for us to improve the All-Star Game, which has been a priority for all of us. We are looking forward to putting on an entertaining show in L.A.”
The NBA’s president league of operations, Byron Spruell, also spoke positively about the new rule changes. “We’re excited about the new All-Star format and appreciate the players’ willingness to try something new,” he said.
Westborough High School students also are weighing in on the new NBA All-Star game rules.
WHS sophomore Basim Hussain says, “I personally do not like them [new rules]. I enjoyed watching many stars show off their skills with lower competition level.”
Cam Erickson, freshman at Westborough High School, comments, “Yes. I do support these new rule changes because it gives the NBA players in the All-Star Game to exhibit their skills while having motivation of playing for local charities.”
Sources used:
http://www.nba.com/article/2017/10/03/nba-revamps-format-all-star-game#/
