LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and minutes-played leader, has expressed cautious optimism about the league’s new All-Star Game format while addressing broader concerns about the state of basketball. Speaking ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, James reflected on the evolving nature of the sport and its impact on fans.
In response to mounting criticism about the competitiveness of recent All-Star Games, the NBA unveiled a round-robin format for February’s event. The new structure will divide 24 All-Stars into three teams of eight, with a fourth team composed of Rising Stars players. Each team will compete in untimed semifinal games, and the first to score 40 points will advance to the championship.
LeBron James shows what activity was he involved in during his absence from the Lakers
The league hopes this innovation will rejuvenate fan interest after last year’s lackluster performance, which saw teams combine for a record 397 points. While some players remain skeptical-like Anthony Davis, who bluntly said, “I don’t really like it” James acknowledged the need for change.
Something had to change,” James admitted. “Obviously, the last couple of years haven’t delivered the excitement fans expect. We’ll see how this plays out. Change always brings mixed reactions, but you’ve got to try something different.
Beyond the All-Star game: The NBA’s 3-point debate
LeBron’s comments also touched on broader issues within the league, particularly the dominance of three-point shooting in modern gameplay. “It’s not just the All-Star Game; it’s our game in general,” he said. “There’s a lot of threes being shot, and it’s a bigger conversation.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver echoed this sentiment earlier in the week, noting ongoing discussions about diversifying offensive styles to maintain fan engagement. The Boston Celtics, for instance, are averaging an unprecedented 51.1 three-point attempts per game this season a dramatic shift from even a decade ago.
A career milestone for LeBron
Thursday’s game against Sacramento also marked another milestone for LeBron James, as he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most regular-season minutes played. This achievement underscores the 39-year-old’s enduring dominance in his 21st NBA season.
As the league navigates changes both on and off the court, James remains a pivotal voice, blending his unmatched experience with a willingness to adapt. Whether the revamped All-Star format succeeds remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: LeBron’s impact on the game continues to grow.
