NBA All-Star Weekend 2025 came in with high expectations, but let’s just say… not everyone was feeling it. The league tried shaking things up with a new format, hoping to bring some fresh energy. But instead of excitement, most players were left frustrated—except for one guy: Stephen Curry.

Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht and the Rising Stars had their hands full going up against Shaquille O’Neal’s team of seasoned veterans in a matchup that garnered plenty of interest. Leave it to Steph to find the silver lining. Always the optimist, he actually liked the changes. “There needed to be some new life, new juice to this event,” he said, calling it a “good step in the right direction.” But not everyone agreed.

Trae Young, for one, was not a fan. “I didn’t like it at all,” he admitted, calling out the long breaks that killed the game’s momentum.

His take? Scrap the experiment and go back to what worked—let players represent their conferences with pride. Then there’s Damian Lillard, who pitched the idea of an “All-Snub” team, made up of players who got left out of the All-Star selection.

That concept would add real stakes to the game—those snubbed players would have something to prove. Nevertheless, Curry found himself on the losing side as the NBA fandom slammed the new format and presentation.

“Fix this c**p,” NBA fandom in uproar as they suggest new format ruins the marquee nature of All-Stars game

Draymond Green didn’t hold back when talking about the Rising Stars playing in the main event. “These guys did not make the All-Star team. To be playing in the All-Star Game and not make the All-Star team is absurd,” he said, straight-up calling it out. And honestly? He’s not alone. A lot of fans feel the same way, arguing that the NBA is watering down what it actually means to be an All-Star.

That’s why some believe players need to speak up if they want this to change. “I think players need to speak their mind to fix this crap.” And they’re not wrong. If more guys publicly call out the league, there’s a real chance this decision gets reversed. Right now, only Draymond, Trae, and Dame have said anything. But imagine if LeBron, KD, or Giannis joined in? At that point, the NBA would have no choice but to listen. This isn’t just a small tweak—it’s a massive shift in what it means to be an All-Star. If players don’t push back now, who’s to say the league won’t lower the bar even further next year?

Many fans agree. “100% agree. Sunday is for the ALL-STARS. Rising Stars have their own day. This new format is terrible.” And honestly, they have a point. The biggest issue? Veteran All-Stars gain nothing from this. If they win, people will just say, Of course, they did, they’re the OGs. But if they lose? That’s humiliating—getting beaten by guys who haven’t even earned an All-Star nod yet. Think about it. What does LeBron, Curry, or Kawhi get out of playing against rookies and sophomores? And this is not fair to players like Dalton Knecht. The All-Star Game was supposed to be a battle between the best of the best. Now, it just feels like the NBA is forcing weird matchups to get attention.

Not surprisingly, some fans expressed their disdain. “I agree with Draymond for once. Adam Silver ruined NBA All-Star even more by allowing these undeserving kids to play with All-Stars. All-Star is meant to be aspirational. These kids will eventually have their time.” They’re not wrong. The All-Star Game desperately needed a revamp, especially with ratings dropping for years. Fans wanted changes—but not this. Even Charles Barkley admitted the league had to experiment because the game had lost its edge. “Your generation messed the game up, so we have to experiment with the Rising Stars.” Sure, trying new things is fine. But throwing Rising Stars into the main event? Not the solution. If the NBA wanted to fix the All-Star Game, they should have focused on making the actual game more competitive, not forcing matchups that don’t make sense.

Some fans are even suggesting a more drastic approach. “Just give everyone the day off. All-Star Game, 3-point contest, or Dunk Contest ain’t what it used to be. Lot of Madonnas in the league.” That might be extreme, but you can’t ignore how frustrated people are. The All-Star Game used to be a must-watch TV. Now, it feels like the league is desperately trying to keep it relevant. They’re trying to attract new audiences, but in the process, they’re alienating longtime fans.

Now that the weekend’s over, one thing is clear—this change did not sit well with anyone. Fans are upset, vets are frustrated, and even some current All-Stars think the whole thing is a joke. Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht and the other Rising Stars were thrown into an awkward spot, expected to compete in a game that wasn’t really meant for them. Will the NBA listen and go back to the old format next year? Hard to say. But one thing’s for sure—this debate isn’t going away anytime soon.