Adam Silver hinted at some potential changes to the All-Star Game, including a four-point shot.
During a panel discussion at MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke with Nate Silver, the Editor of ESPN’s FiveThirtyEight, about the possible changes that he has in mind for the future All-Star exhibition games. Silver said that he had a talk with the head of the National Basketball Players Association, Chris Paul, about the need for a change to the game:
As reported by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, Silver said, “Chris said, ‘We need to fix this.’ “There is kind of a groupthink notion out there that when you have general managers and coaches in essence saying, ‘Go easy, don’t forget this is just for fun.’
The two entertained the idea of having a possible four-point shot or even having team captains to pick the players for each of their teams instead of fan votes. Both of those ideas could definitely improve the game. The team captains could keep the players that don’t deserve to be in the game out of the game and the four-point shot would allow the Steph Currys of the game to go out and let the ball fly.
Silver was quick to stress a four-point shot won’t be coming to any actual games any time soon, but that “it is an All-Star Game, and you are out there to have fun.”
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Silver’s right — the All-Star Game is supposed to be fun, a chance for fans watch their favorite players show off their skills. And if there can be extra attachments to make the game more interesting, why not implement them and make the game that much more exciting?
The future is bright for the NBA All-Star Game.