Everything you need to know about the new 2018 NBA All-Star roster format
When the best players in the NBA take to the court for the 2018 All-Star Game things will look a little bit different for fans. Here’s everything you need to know about the changes in roster format to be prepared for Sunday, February 18.
Earlier this season the NBA and Players’ Association announced changes to the way the rosters will be divided for this year’s All-Star Game. In a move that mirrors the format of the NHL All-Star game from 2011 through 2015 and the NFL Pro Bowl from 2014 through 2016, the rosters will be chosen by team captain in a draft.
The announcement is an exciting way to shake things up. The draft adds even more of a playground element to the annual contest, already known for its extra-flashy offensive play and lackluster defensive efforts.
It also allows for shakeups in rosters, dividing up teammates, and creating dream combinations of on-court partners we might never get the chance to see.
Imagine a three-point shooting back-and-forth between Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Or a battle down low between Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Or LeBron James teaming up with James Harden. These are all now possible roster combinations that would be bound to add to the NBA trade and free agency rumor mill.
The captains for each team will be the player receiving the most All-Star fan votes from each conference. The latest voting report, from January 11, showed LeBron James and Steph Curry as the leaders in each conference. The fan vote closed on January 15 and if things hold true the pair will be head-to-head again this time for admittedly lower stakes than the NBA Finals.
The rest of the starters will be named by a combination of fan votes (50 percent) as well as votes from the players themselves (25 percent) and the media (25 percent). As usual, head coaches will select the 14 reserve players, choosing two guards, three frontcourt players and two players at any position in each conference.
The starters will be announced live on TNT on Thursday, January 18 during TNT NBA Tip-Off at 6 p.m. ET. The network will reveal the reserves on Tuesday, Jan. 23 during TNT NBA Tip-Off at 7 p.m. ET. The team rosters will be unveiled on Thursday, Jan. 25 in a special one-hour edition of TNT NBA Tip-Off at 7 p.m. ET.
As of now there are no plans to televise the draft, no matter how much fans request for it to happen. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explained the decision to Tas Melas of The Starters.
"“This is a new initiative, and so it may develop over time, in terms of how teams are selected. Yes, it would be more fun if we had [a public draft]. On the other hand, I recognize that in picking a team to perform in the here and now, it’s a little different than drafting.”"
Silver also said he received a “sense from the players” a live draft may put the captains in a compromising position to choose one player over another.
Not all the players agree with Silver, as John Wall made it clear on NBC’s Washington Wizards Tipoff Podcast he thinks the draft should be aired.
"“If you made the All-Star Game, it should be televised who is going to be on what team. I don’t think you should call them and then wait until everybody sees who will be an All-Star. They should let it be known. We’re grown men, like [LeBron] said. If they ain’t pick you, they ain’t pick you.”"
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Another change to this year’s All-Star game is that the players will be competing for charity. Each team will select a Los Angeles-area or national organization to represent and gather donations to support their cause.
The 67th NBA All-Star Game will be played in Los Angeles at Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 18 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT), and will be broadcast live on TNT.