It’s true that we watch basketball for the love of the game, but come on, we all know we’re here for the entertainment and thrill too. When an event like the NBA All-Star Weekend falls short of the hype, it’s a bit of a letdown. And that’s exactly what’s been happening over the last few years. Even with all the glitz and glam, All-Star Weekend’s shine has dimmed. Players are backing out, and the game is turning into a glorified shootout. Let’s not forget the exhaustion from media and brand commitments. Fans expect more, and they’re not getting it. 

It’s one of the most hyped events in basketball, yet somehow, it keeps missing the mark. That has led to the conversation around fixing it being louder than ever, and now, it’s not just coming from NBA fans. WNBA stars are chiming in too.

Among them is none other than three-time WNBA All-Star, Dearica Hamby, who had her own thoughts on how to fix All-Star Weekend. She attended the event this year and didn’t hold back. 

Taking to X, Hamby shared her solution: “👋 my 2 cents lol The fix to all star is to only make it one day… one event… preferably Friday or Saturday and eliminate all the extra stuff 🙂 from experience … by Sunday you are exhausted from media/ brand obligations… AND now you mean to tell me I gotta go to market in 2 days. Extend the break a couple more days so the all stars can also leave… :)”

Hamby’s basically saying what a lot of players probably feel: the All-Star weekend is just too much. There’s all this extra stuff—the media obligations, the brand deals, the non-stop events. By the time Sunday rolls around, these players are exhausted. They’re physically drained and ready to hit the reset button.  If All-Star Weekend was just condensed into one day, like a Friday or Saturday, players would get more time to rest. Right now, the first game back after the weekend is on Wednesday, giving stars from the Lakers and Hornets just a two-day break. 

If the festivities were crammed into one day? That’s at least four days of rest—more than enough to recharge. However, this might not fix the bigger issue. More solutions have been proposed. One idea is to have at least two current All-Stars compete in each contest on All-Star Saturday. This would specifically target the Slam Dunk Contest, which has been pretty underwhelming in recent years.

The Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest typically have a solid mix of stars, but the Dunk Contest has seen more D-league hopefuls than actual NBA stars. Also, how about getting rid of the Skills Challenge and bringing back the Shooting Stars competition? Honestly, no one’s feeling it anymore. So…maybe it’s time for a fresh change or….inspiration from W’s new league, Unrivaled. 

Can NBA All-Star weekend take a page from Unrivaled’s playbook?

You have heard about it, right? The one founded by Napheesa Collier & Breanna Stewart. It recently saw one of the most entertaining tournaments – 1v1. And the co-founder came out with flying colors and was crowned as the 1v1 champion. But since then, the buzz has been real, with fans wondering if the NBA could pull off something similar during All-Star Weekend. 

Collier herself said, “I think it would definitely be entertaining… It’s up to the players if they want to do it. You’re putting your name on the line, your reputation on the line, it’s a vulnerable situation.” Well, Phee got a point. 

How many NBA stars are willing to risk the embarrassment of losing in front of a massive audience? After all, a seasoned star losing to a rookie could have some serious image consequences. For instance, Breanna Stewart came in as a favorite but got knocked out early by rookie Aaliyah Edwards 12-0 in the first round. 

Moreover, fans agree with Phee. They think a 1v1 tournament could be entertaining, but they share her hesitation. However, it can’t be denied that the NBA All-Star needs a desperate revamp and the NBA isn’t blind to the need for change. 

In fact, Draymond Green, four-time NBA champion, has openly said the league is “boring these days.” So, whether it’s a 1v1 tournament like Unrivaled or something more innovative, the All-Star Weekend is crying out for something fresh. Let’s see if the league disappoints fans again next season. Or works on its loopholes?