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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

San Francisco is about to have one of its busiest—and most profitable—weekends this February. Picture this: over 100,000 people flood the streets on February 15th for the Lunar New Year parade. And just when you think the energy might dip, boom—the NBA All-Star Game hits Chase Center on the 16th. But it’s not like the old times when it used to be the East vs the West, LeBron James vs Stephen Curry. Sadly, that’s not the case anymore. 

This year, the NBA All-Star Game is shaking things up with a brand-new format. Instead of the usual setup, they’re rolling out a mini-tournament with 4 teams battling it out across three games. Here’s how it works: two teams will go head-to-head in the first semifinal (let’s call it Game 1), while the other two face off in the second semifinal (Game 2). The winners will then clash in the Championship game (Game 3). Oh, and here’s the kicker—each game ends as soon as a team hits or goes past 40 points!

It’s a new challenge for LeBron and Steph!

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And not everyone is a fan. Dwyane Wade recently opened up about the NBA All-Star Game’s new format, and his reaction was a mix of nostalgia and honesty. Reflecting on his early All-Star experiences, Wade shared on his YouTube channel, “They were gambling in the locker room! I was sitting there like, I’m a little kid. I’m 20. What? I was 22 years old, my first All-Star game. I’m in the locker room with all these like people, who I’ve grown up wearing their jerseys and stuff, they in there and they gambling they talking sh–.”

“It’s big money on the table, and I ain’t got no bread!” This paints a vivid picture of the laid-back, player-driven vibe of the past, where legends like Allen Iverson and Vince Carter set the tone, completely.

However, the new changes, like the mini-tournament and 40-point target, don’t entirely win over Wade and his attention. “I wouldn’t have been a fan only because I’m an old head and I’m stuck in my ways,” the 13x All-Star admitted.

USA Today via Reuters

From his debut appearance to only becoming the third hoopster to record a triple-double in an All-Star game (2012), D-Wade earned quite an amount of respect for his name! He strongly believes the modern game has lost its focus, overshadowed by endless appearances, brand deals, and media obligations. “By the time you get to that game, you’re so tired… it’s too much going on,” he explained, highlighting how the modern All-Star Weekend prioritizes everything but the game itself…

But Wade’s former Miami Heat teammate LeBron isn’t backing down from challenges as he demonstrated on Thursday.

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Is the new NBA All-Star format a refreshing change or a step away from tradition?

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LeBron James doesn’t need rest, even at 40!

Let’s be real—playing your third game in four nights, traveling cross-country, and facing the NBA’s worst team? That’s a recipe for a letdown. But LeBron James wasn’t having it. With AD back in LA treating a strained abdominal muscle, LeBron took charge, dropping 24 points and 11 assists in just 27 minutes. The result? A 134-96 blowout against the Wizards, who are now riding a brutal 16-game losing streak. Ouch.

The Lakers exploded for a season-high 78 points in the first half, with seven players scoring in double figures. After LeBron James, Rui Hachimura led the charge with 22 points, while Shake Milton had his best game as a Laker, adding 21. By the fourth quarter, though, the bench took over, and Bronny even got the crowd hyped with his second bucket of the season! Hachimura celebrated by playfully putting the King in a headlock—yeah, it was that kind of night.

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via Imago

The best news? Anthony Davis’ injury isn’t serious, and he’s expected back soon. Oh, and he just earned his 10th All-Star nod. Jaxson Hayes, filling in for Davis, posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. As for Dorian Finney-Smith, he’s hoping to return on Saturday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. So, while the game was a snooze, the Lakers showed they can still dominate even when they’re not at full strength. Not bad for a Thursday night, huh?

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Is the new NBA All-Star format a refreshing change or a step away from tradition?

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