New All-Star Game Format: Signaling Change for the NBA
This past weekend, the NBA employed a new game format, which sparked life into a normally lackluster all-star game. Instead of playing the four traditional quarters, the all-star game consisted of three mini-game quarters where the winner of each quarter received $100,000 for their Chicago-area charity. After the three mini-game quarters, the cumulative point score was added up, and the first team to score 157 total points won the game.
After three quarters, Team Giannis led 133–124 over Team LeBron, but in the end Team LeBron won 157–155 in a thrilling comeback.
This new format manufactured energy, excitement, and competitiveness throughout the game, and received widespread praise from the NBA media and fans.
The success of the format led some to question whether the format could become a normality in NBA play. The NBA has not shied away from innovations to the game of basketball. Whether it’s potentially changing the regular season, the playoffs, or changing basic basketball rules, the NBA seems open to new ideas. And at a time when the TV ratings are down, maybe now is the best time to try something new.
For years I have advocated for a change to basketball similar to what we saw in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. In my format, basketball would be played in four, twelve minute mini-game quarters, just like the all-star game, but to win the game a team would need to win three out of the four quarters. If after four quarters the teams are tied 2–2, then there would be one five minute overtime quarter to decide the winner. If after the first three quarters a team has won all three, then the game ends after the end of the third quarter. Basically every game would be a fast-paced mini-series.
This format — similar to the all-star game format — would manufacture fourth quarter excitement, plus add pressure and intensity to every quarter.
This format change, combined with also shortening and standardizing the NBA schedule, would ultimately better the NBA product. The NBA should interpret the format’s success as a positive signal communicating a desire for change.
Twitter: @matthew_buzard, @readZEAL
