Nope, how was it?

Verdict going via online was half-decent games and concept ruined by loads of ads and breaks in play for talking-heads and more ads.

Event becoming like the Harlem Globetrotters ; good to watch once but then never again please.....

I think it's time to give it a couple years off and come back with a fresh offering. There has to be some better options for a mid season break.

The NBA All-Star game is changing format to USA vs the World starting in 2026.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/adam-silver-says-2026-all-star-game-will-be-usa-vs-world-format

Finally.

That might be an all star game worth watching.

Giddey or Daniels on the international team?

word14, are you implying, "Giddey or Daniels on the international team (, or the USA team)?" I would take a wild guess that they both go for the international team.

I think a lot of people have been wanting to see this for a long time and it should definitely bring the interest back, at least for a while. These things tend to have diminishing returns.

The world team would have an incredible starting line up but there's a chance those further down the roster would be very fringe all star level.

This would be fine except that all star selections are used to determine whether a guy is eligible for a super max deal and often cited in legacy when it comes to things like HOF. If this made it easier for fringe world players and more difficult for fringe US players to get selected, I can't see it being very popular.

Doncic, SGA, Giannis, Wemby, Jokic are all easy picks. Towns, Sengun, Siakam, Sabonis, Markkanen all have been there before, though mostly only once. Jamal Murray likely would get his first all star. Then who else? That's 11.

After that you're looking at guys who are not really at that level (yet). Wagner, Daniels, OG, Barrett, Giddey, Hartenstein, Gobert, Brooks, Dort, Nembhard

From that group you probably take Wagner. But thats before injuries etc. Do we really want Lou Dort as an all star?

Rob, the question was more a hypothetical one of will either be good enough to be selected on the team

Hey word14, I like your dribble, not having a go at ya. Keep it up.

I like the idea of locals v foreigners. Playing for bragging rights should make the contest an interesting one.

No I didn't think you were having a go at me Rob, appreciate your work too.

As Cram states there's likely 10 or 11 internationals almost locked for a spot, my hope is Giddey and Daniels play well enough next year to get the nod for the other spots.

Getting a bit ahead of ourselves on this one I think.

He didn't specifically say that it will replace the traditional all-star game, so for all we know it might just replace the Rising Stars game and be USA v World featuring only rookies and sophomores or something like that.

Given the importance of the TV audience, I'm confident that there will be a player from Australia and from China in the International team (even if it’s obviously tokenistic rather than merited).

Who would represent china? Hansen Yang?

NFI, but given that it's a big marketing exercise and a showcase of the best athletes (rather than playing the best basketball), I’m cynical about the whole thing. (As a lot of the clubs seem to be)

Fair enough Hoopie, can't say I entirely disagree