NBA All-Star Recap: LeBron’s Late Scratch, Confusing Format, and Heated Reactions

Every year, the All-Star Game takes place on Sunday, and like clockwork, the following Monday, the general media complains about the lack of competitiveness between the NBA’s best. This year, the NBA attempted to shake up the usual format.

Three teams consisting of eight players, along with the winning team of the Rising Stars Challenge, competed to even out the rosters for a game to 40 points—much to the dismay of Draymond Green.

“I worked so hard to play on Sunday night of All-Star Weekend and because the ratings are down and the game is in a bad place, we’re bringing in rising stars,” Green said on TNT pregame. “That’s not a fix at all.”

“You work all year to be an All-Star. And you get to play up to 40 and then you’re done… Cmon what are we doing? This is ridiculous.”

Draymond Green GOES OFF on the new All-Star Game format 👀

Agree or disagree with Draymond? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OCJjn0H7et

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 17, 2025

Controversy surrounded the game even before tip-off when LeBron James announced he wouldn’t be competing due to ankle and foot soreness, throwing a wrench into the new format without giving anyone a heads-up.

NBA Hall of Famer Vince Carter and Draymond Green both felt LeBron could have informed the league sooner.

“There are a lot of guys that are worthy and he’s close by,” Carter said. There are a lot of other players that could’ve replaced James. Jalen Rose was blunt in saying that he took a roster spot from someone.

Draymond Green: “I think [LeBron James] coulda helped somebody else out and said this earlier…”

Vince Carter: “There are a lot of guys who are worthy.”

Jalen Rose: “He took a roster spot from somebody.” #NBA https://t.co/O7qOijgsZN pic.twitter.com/hupGx4NZlT

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 17, 2025

Shannon Sharpe shared on ESPN’s First Take that he was disappointed in LeBron for not being upfront, saying he believes James knew as early as last Wednesday that he would not be playing.

“You could’ve done the same exact thing Giannis (Antetokounmpo) did. Giannis said he wasn’t going to play, Adam Silver named Trae Young as his replacement. Giannis still showed up, put on his uniform, and supported. If the reports are true, [LeBron] didn’t arrive until Saturday, so I just don’t get it. I believe Norman Powell earned that,” Sharpe said.

.@stephenasmith is SHOCKED that @ShannonSharpe said he’s disappointed in LeBron’s late scratch from the All-Star Game 😯 pic.twitter.com/v23FOGaLZL

— First Take (@FirstTake) February 17, 2025

Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith proposed an alternative solution on First Take—an international vs. American-born players format to fuel competitiveness and add bragging rights to the game.

“International players are not going to show up against USA players for All-Star weekend and take it lightly,” Smith said this morning in First Take. He is correct, although that may not be the easiest fix for the game. Unique and it sounds effective on the surface but it may not be what the NBA is going for.

“International players are not going to show up against USA players for All-Star weekend and take it lightly.”@stephenasmith wants to see international competition introduced to the All-Star format to boost competition. pic.twitter.com/z7bbuPLbUo

— First Take (@FirstTake) February 17, 2025

Kevin Durant chimed in on Twitter, responding to criticism about the All-Star Game with the sarcasm only he could get away with.

I think it’s more fun to complain about the nba than to actually watch it. Crazy, cancel all star weekend and let’s just give everybody a break since we’re so miserable around this time…

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 17, 2025

Adding that he’s tired of constant fan complaints, Durant continued:

I get it. My point is, fans complain about EVERYTHING. Like nothing is good enough for the fans right now. Only thing they enjoy is playoffs, trade deadline, free agency and when players beef with each other lol

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 17, 2025

With TNT’s final year hosting the All-Star Game before the new media deal takes effect, the format remains tentative, and changes could be on the horizon.