The 2025 NBA All-Star Game, held on Sunday, attempted to revamp its structure in hopes of delivering a more engaging experience.
Instead, it was widely panned as a resounding failure.
From the confusing mini-tournament format to excessive non-basketball segments—particularly featuring comedian Kevin Hart—the event left many fans and analysts frustrated.
A format to forget
In its ongoing quest to make the All-Star Game competitive, the NBA introduced a three-game mini-tournament for the first time.
However, one of the three teams did not even consist of All-Stars, a decision that drew sharp criticism from analysts like Draymond Green, who repeatedly voiced his displeasure during TNT’s broadcast.
The opening game between Team Chuck and Team Kenny initially showed promise, with competitive play from Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
But by the night’s end, the basketball had taken a backseat to everything else happening on-screen.
Even TNT’s Kenny Smith suggested the experiment had failed.
"I think they're gonna change the format back," Smith said, moments before Jayson Tatum sealed the title for Team Shaq.
Kevin Hart overload
While the basketball itself struggled to engage viewers, the broadcast’s entertainment segments drew even more ire.
Kevin Hart was given a central role throughout the event, frequently interjecting with commentary and comedy bits that felt forced and out of place.
One particular moment, where Hart joked about Shaquille O’Neal’s outfit, was met with widespread backlash.
Many longtime NBA fans, previously loyal to TNT’s coverage, questioned whether the network’s potential loss of NBA rights was actually a bad thing.
Social media erupted with criticism:
Excessive breaks and forced promotions
Adding to the chaos were unnecessary stoppages, including an extended Mr. Beast promotion in the middle of the broadcast.
A lucky fan won $100,000, but the moment felt shoehorned into a night already filled with distractions.
One of the most baffling breaks came during the championship game itself.
After Team Shaq took an 11-1 lead, play was halted for a tribute to the TNT broadcast crew, featuring none other than Kevin Hart.
The segment, lasting nearly 20 minutes, left fans exasperated.
Players Express Frustration
Even the players seemed fed up with the extended stoppages. Trae Young voiced his displeasure postgame:
"I feel like the fans want to see us playing more rather than just some little shows in between breaks."
A night to forget
What was once a marquee event on the NBA calendar became an overproduced spectacle that left fans yearning for change.
The 2025 All-Star Game was widely regarded as one of the worst in history, as highlighted by NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor’s blunt assessment:
"Worst All-Star ‘Game’ EVER."
With the league’s media rights shifting next year, many are hopeful NBC will restore the focus to actual basketball.
After Sunday’s debacle, that change can’t come soon enough.
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