NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wants to change NBA All-Star Game format

Commissioner Adam Silver announced on Saturday night that the NBA is thinking about altering the format of the All-Star Game, which will take place in San Francisco later this season. Silver has always called for a more competitive All-Star tournament, he said prior to the Miami-Washington game in Mexico City. Silver made it apparent, though, that although expanding to Mexico City is desirable, it will be more difficult than in the United States, where towns like Las Vegas and Seattle are leading candidates for NBA expansion.

Last season, the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 211-186, tying for the highest points in the 73-year history of the game and the first time a team scored more than 200 points. "We're looking at other formats," Sliver said without specifying what may change. "I think there's no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year's All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans."

The league is considering changing the All-Star Game "not a traditional game format," Silver continued, but he did not elaborate on what that may entail. The All-Star formula has undergone multiple modifications by the league in recent years. Attempts were made to replace the traditional East versus. West structure with a captain-selected draft and substitute an untimed fourth quarter with a target score to guarantee that the game must end on a made shot.

NBA All-Star game to be held in San Francisco

East vs. West played in four complete 12-minute quarters, the same format as the previous year's game. With the teams combining for 168 3-pointers and almost 400 points, it was little more than an offensive extravaganza. Golden State star Stephen Curry has been brought in by Silver to assist figure out how to make this season's All-Star contest more competitive, since the contest is set for February 16 in San Francisco. It is highly likely that the National Basketball Players Association's leadership would also need to be involved in any adjustments.