The NBA has made a major change to the All-Star game draft ahead of the 2023 clash.
The NBA All-Star game has been tradition of the NBA for as far back as we can remember. The best players in the competition all coke together to go up against each other, forming a number of mouthwatering team ups as well as contests that excites the NBA enthusiast more than anything.
The NBA All-Star weekend is an incredible occasion simply because it features the biggest stars in the competition all coming together in the same arena at the same time. However, the All-Star weekend does not simply host an All-Star Game – but it also hosts several other contests such as the 3 Point Contest, the Skills Challenge as well as the much-awaited Slam Dunk Contest.
The All-Star weekend tipped off last night with three jam-packed days of action in Salt Lake City. While the first day of action at the Vivint Arena in Utah saw the Rising Stars game, there is a lot more to follow on Saturday while it eventually leads to the All-Star game on Sunday. However, this year’s game will be an unprecedented occasion courtesy of some key changes.
What changes have been made to the NBA All-Star game?
As mentioned earlier, there have been some changes made to the All-Star game.
This season, the league has spiced up the already hugely celebrated event by adding a different angle to drafting teammates by having it happen only moments before the game takes place. While the top players from both the West and the East take each other on after being selected through a rigorous voting process, the scales have been shifted this year as for the first time, the NBA All-Star Draft will take place right before the game.
The two team captains will draft the team rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference. The draft timing isn’t the only things changing, as the order is, too. It was revealed that captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will first select reserves for their bench before divvying up the eight remaining starters. In this format, the last player selected would still start in the game, thus avoiding the schoolyard stigma associated with being picked last.
The All-Star game will be held at the Vivint Arena in Utah on Sunday.
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