The talent imbalance in the NBA between the Eastern and Western Conference has "never been more egregious," which is why the NBA was "finally compelled to act" and change the All-Star Game format, according to Andrew Sharp of SI.com. The NBA could "go further next year, or maybe the league is hoping this conference imbalance corrects itself over the next few seasons, eventually mitigating the need for open, league-sponsored disdain for Eastern Conference basketball." In any case, the All-Star Game changes "aren't as exciting as they could've been." Switching up the format and adding team captains "has been tried before in the NFL and NHL, and it didn't really make a difference." The NBA can make this new format work, but only if the players "lean into all the petty resentments and long-standing feuds that make the sport so addictive in the first place" (SI.com, 10/4). In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel wrote under the header, "NBA All-Star Changes Won't Fix The Problem." The discrepancy between the conferences in "top-shelf talent has been an NBA staple for several years." And with the offseason "exodus of East stars to the West," the talent discrepancy "doesn't figure to change anytime soon." The draft by captains "could be interesting but probably won't be" (NEWSOK.com, 10/4).
MIXING IT UP: In Cleveland, Chris Fedor notes Cavaliers F Kevin Love "likes the format changes" and believes it will be "more fun." Love said, "It mixes it up. I think in some way it will make it more competitive and also it will be interesting to see who picks who. It is an elite fraternity in this league." Asked if Cavs F LeBron James would pick Warriors G Stephen Curry or Celtics G and former teammate Kyrie Irving, Love said, "I know that he'll have some fun with it. If he wants to, he has a future in this league of being on that side of basketball operations and I'd imagine he would put together a hell of a team." Meanwhile, Cavs F Richard Jefferson "credits the NBA for tinkering with the format," but has "doubts about it sparking any kind of actual change." Jefferson: "They're changing it up ideally to make it more competitive. Hopefully it works. ... [Indians manager] Terry Francona said something that kind of resonated with me. He said, 'Our job is to win. In the meantime while winning if people find it entertaining, then that's awesome. But just to go into something with the idea that we're going to entertain the fans is kind of shortchanging people'" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 10/5).
WARRIORS IN FAVOR: In S.F., Connor Letourneau wrote the new format "injects a bit of intrigue into a game that has become somewhat of a high-scoring farce in recent years." Curry said, "It's the playground-type dynamics when you could pick your teams growing up, when you used to play open gyms or whatnot. In a lot of ways, it'll be fun to see how that part plays out. Just for the fans, to see how that plays out with different combinations." Asked if he would pick teammates G Klay Thompson, F Draymond Green and F Kevin Durant for his All-Star team, Curry said, "Definitely. They'd be upset if I don't" (SFCHRONICLE.com, 10/4). Thompson said, "It's pretty exciting. It's cool the NBA is throwing something new out there." Green said, "It's great and it adds more excitement. I think the All-Star last game was pretty boring." Durant on who he would pick for his team said, "It's an All-Star game; I'll choose anybody. I close my eyes and pick any of those guys and we'll be good" (MERCURYNEWS.com, 10/4).
