Opinion: Why the NBA All-Star Game is still not worth watching

NBA All-Star Game logo 2026 (Wikimedia Commons)

If you have read my work on the NBA the last few years, you know my opinion is on the NBA All-Star Game. It is simply not worth watching. I never liked the scoring system for a period of time, and the lack of defense on both sides made the game not compelling to view.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles had the potential to be better. The NBA has been hyping up its USA vs. the World format for months. Even I expressed interest.

The NBA was trying to follow the National Hockey League, which had a spectacular four-team hockey tournament in February. Instead of the NHL All-Star Game, Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland had a mini four team tournament in Montreal and Boston, which was won by Canada thanks to a spectacular goal by Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.

But the 2026 NBA All-Star Game is simply not what I anticipated. The reason is that it is not best-on-best when it comes to countries or world areas. The format is still out of whack. What I don’t like is the fact that there are two American teams and only one international team, and  a mini-tournament is taking place. Why not it just be USA vs. the World? It should be one 48 minute game with the best NBA players who were American against the best NBA players who were not American. Get rid of the mini-tournament! With the mini tournament, there is a chance two American teams could be in the final, and we are back to the yawnfest exhibition without defense.

What will I be doing? Sleeping. The 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo  is top priority for me and I will be on European time.