The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend generated an unprecedented one billion social media views across Friday and Saturday, marking a record-breaking milestone for the league. However, Sunday night’s All-Star Game failed to deliver the thrilling competition fans had hoped for. While the newly shortened format increased intensity, commercial breaks, and off-court entertainment overshadowed the actual game.

Amid the disappointment, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took center stage, not just for his sharp criticism but for exposing a dark financial reality behind NBA players’ approach to the All-Star Game.

According to Smith, the real issue isn’t just the game format but the players themselves. He believes they lack effort and commitment despite their lucrative contracts.

“I will remind y’all that did y’all know All-Star activities is a part of their contract. Did you know that it’s a part of their contract? A prominent agent in the league said to me a few weeks ago he said the problem with All-Star weekend is that the players look at the league like a bank instead of looking at them like partners,” Stephen A. Smith noted on The Stephen A. Smith Show.

Smith argued that players prioritize securing their next contracts over fulfilling their current obligations, including delivering an entertaining All-Star Game. He believes their lack of energy and seriousness is damaging the event.

With it being a part of the clause that enables NBA players to make astronomical amounts of money, Smith wants to see them honor those terms. Rather than working towards the next contract, he would much rather see them fulfill their duties first, which includes bringing energy and seriousness to the All-Star game.

Smith didn’t stop at criticism—he dropped a bombshell revelation that the NBA was close to canceling All-Star Weekend altogether.

“I’m here to tell y’all right now the NBA All-Star weekend was in danger of being canceled. I’m not guessing I’m telling you what I know it was on the verge of being canceled, so please understand that, that’s what we’re talking about here,” he said on the Stephen A. Smith Show.

This statement raises serious concerns about the future of the event. With declining competitiveness and fan dissatisfaction, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been forced to explore new solutions to keep the All-Star Game relevant.

Adam Silver continues to try various tricks to bring the weekend alive

Throughout the years, the All-Star game format has seen numerous changes. The traditional West vs East first changed to having team captains. Later, the NBA tried to use a target score for the fourth quarter. That worked brilliantly in 2020, probably the last time players truly extinguished themselves and put meaning in winning the game.

And now, it’s the mini-tournament!

The shortened version did succeed in injecting competition into the game. However, it didn’t stand out like before. Furthermore, many players couldn’t understand it altogether. Several ideas were pitched. Some suggested going back to the East vs West format while Giannis Antetokounmpo felt a World vs The USA game could do the trick. Yes, most people will love that idea.

But, so far, one tweak has been introduced for the next All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. Although not finalized, it hits the sentiments of the fans. The NBA reportedly looks to add a one-on-one tournament with a $1 million prize. Players such as Kyrie Irving and even the Greek Freak are ecstatic at the prospect of having such a contest in motion.

It promises to be competitive because of the pure nature of a one-against-one contest. However, the All-Star game still needs to be addressed. While the tournament did some good things, the format will probably change, once again. But to a great degree, Stephen A. Smith is right.

The formats and the number of games can’t change the perception. It has to be the players who take the lead. Until then, the game might remain a mediocre affair.