INGLEWOOD.- Enjoying the competitive break, the superstars of the NBA gathered on Saturday in Inglewood (south of Los Angeles) for a All Star Game which for the first time will pit Americans against internationals, a format that does not satisfy everyone.
Instead of the classic duel between the Eastern and Western conferences, the basketball league will rehearse on Sunday a mini-tournament of three teams, two of them with local players and one with foreign players.
The proposal, one more step towards the expected clash “USA against the rest of the world”, is the last attempt to recover the shine of the All-Star Game.
This emblematic show has been losing audience dramatically in recent years due to the players’ lack of motivation to compete, which generates games without defensive intensity with collections of three-pointers and unopposed dunks.
On Saturday, before the traditional day of contests, the stars appeared to meet the media and the two hundred content creators invited this year by the NBA, which gave rise to sessions with unexpected questions.
The positions most favorable to promoting this rivalry between American and international players were figures from the so-called World Team.
“It is a very good competition and I think it will be better than in recent years,” he considered. Luka Doncicwho will participate in his sixth All Star and first as leader of Los Angeles Lakers.
Although he missed the last four games due to a hamstring injury, the Slovenian point guard confirmed that he will take the court for a few minutes on Sunday.
“I feel pretty good,” he said. “I almost came back last game so I think I’ll play a little bit.”
Doncic, the season’s top scorer with 32.8 points on average, represented the Lakers at the Intuit Dome, the neighbors’ home Clippersdue to the absence on Saturday of LeBron Jameswho preferred to appear before the press on Sunday before the game.
In tune with Doncic, the French Victor Wembanyama He said that “pride” can be an element that restores the desire to compete.
“The reason is simple. Many of the best players are international and they feel proud of it. Pride also exists on the American side, it is natural. Everything that comes close to representing your country creates a certain pride,” said the center of the San Antonio Spurs.
East versus West nostalgia
On the American side, the new proposal does not seem to generate as much enthusiasm and there is even a certain nostalgia for the old East versus West rivalry, which was recovered sporadically in 2024 after six years of other formats.
“I can’t say I hate it or I love it, because I really don’t know what the situation is,” he said. Kawhi Leonardstar of the host Clippers.
“I think that no format forces you to compete,” he considered. “I’d rather it be East versus West. Go out there, compete and see what the outcome is.”
TO Cade Cunninghambase of the Detroit Pistonswould also like to be part of a clash between conferences, which in the past left unforgettable moments with icons such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson either Kobe Bryant.
“I grew up with the only desire to participate in the All-Star Game and my only two years so far have been with these different formats,” recalled the point guard for the Eastern Conference chiefs.
“I would like to live the experience of East versus West. I want to be able to live what all the greats lived, but I’m just playing with the cards I’ve been dealt. I’m sure it will come back at some point,” he said.
In an intermediate place he positioned himself Nikola Jokicwho before entering the debate was asked what horse he recommends buying in the United States.
The Serbian center, three-time MVP, said he will play the same as in his previous seven All-Star Games.
“I’m going to play like I do every year. I’m not sure that this is going to give me another boost because I play every game the same. We’ll see tomorrow,” summed up the figure of the Denver Nuggets.
