The NBA announced that the 2023 All-Star Game will return to a classic Eastern Conference versus Western Conference format. The game is scheduled for February 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This will be the first time the city hosts the event since 1985. So ahead of that check out the changes.
NBA All-Star Game Adopts East-West Rivalry Format
In a major change, the All-Star teams will once again be selected based on conference rather than a player draft. For the past six years, the top vote-getters in each conference served as team captains and drafted rosters regardless of conference. This new format could see LeBron James and rising French star Victor Wembanyama teammate for the West.
Voting for the 12 players from each conference will remain the same process. Fans will vote for the starters while coaches vote for the reserves. The team captains will continue to be the starters from each conference receiving the most fan votes.
The scoring format recently changed in 2020 to create a target score based on 24 points, in tribute to Kobe Bryant. Whichever team reached the target after three quarters would win. However, the league is reverting back to the traditional East vs West format fans are familiar with.
Under the previous setup, Team LeBron won five consecutive All-Star games before losing this year to Team Giannis. Overall, the Eastern Conference holds a narrow 37-29 edge in the All-Star rivalry dating back to 2017. Reverting to the classic conference format allows basketball fans to relive the storied rivalry between the East and West once again.
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While the All-Star game is an exhibition, players still want to beat their opponents. Returning to East vs West honors the longstanding tradition and competitiveness between the two conferences. Basketball fans are excited to see their favorite stars back in a conference showdown during the 2023 NBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis.