The city of Los Angeles will host the first pick-up game style NBA All-Star Game. As the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend approaches, the NBA announced on Tuesday that there will be a major change to the team selection process.
Players will still be voted in the same way, with weighted votes from fans, media, and other players. However, the game will no longer pit the Western Conference versus the Eastern Conference. Instead, the two players who get the most votes will become team captains and later draft their rosters from the pool of All-Stars.
The NBA announces new changes to the All-Star Game format. Top two fan voted players will be captains and select their teams. pic.twitter.com/DHvxR5VAQ4
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) October 3, 2017
This new format is something that has been proposed by fans and media for a while now but with the Western Conference hoarding so much of the NBA talent, the NBA seemingly believes it can make the exhibition contest more competitive by balancing the rosters.
The NBA is also adding an extra incentive by making the game’s prize money for charities chosen by the teams.
The All-Star game will be played at Staples Center. The Lakers are not projected to have a player in the fold especially given the depth of the conference. Nevertheless, Lakers fans can be treated to seeing the best players in the NBA, many of whom will be pursued by LAL next summer, play in a street ball format.
