Team USA vs World Team! NBA plans to change the All-Star Game System again: support from many international stars

On April 30, according to the Associated Press, the NBA is considering another reform of the All-Star Game System, and this time it may incorporate international elements. League president Adam Silver and Operations president Byron Spurr both confirmed this week that the NBA is in consultation with the Player Union and broadcasting partner NBC, planning to replace the current All-Star game system with an international confrontation game next season.

Xiao Hua revealed: "The All-Star Game will return to NBC broadcast next season, which is during the broadcast of the Winter Olympics. Given the continued popularity of international basketball events - especially the Paris Olympics last summer - we are discussing a new plan with the Players Union, focusing on allowing NBA players to represent their respective countries or regions to participate in the competition and bid farewell to the traditional competition system."

Earlier the same day, Spurr said in an interview with the Associated Press that the NBA is considering "a more focused on international confrontation, and to some extent, the US team will play against teams in other parts of the world." Spruer added: "NBC is very supportive of this, and we are the same. Everyone hopes to innovate and look forward to this idea." The 2026 All-Star Game will be held at the home stadium of the Los Angeles Clippers on February 16. The event broadcast by NBC will be changed from Sunday evening to afternoon local time, so that NBC can seamlessly broadcast the daily prime time program of the Milan Winter Olympics after the game.

Xiao Hua told the Associated Press that the league fully realized that "the All-Star Game was held at the same time as the Winter Olympics broadcast, and the venue was the host city of the 2028 Summer Olympics, which is an excellent opportunity."

He pointed out: "We will hold competitions at the Dome Arena, which will also be the venue for the basketball event in the 2028 Olympic Games. The combination of various factors gives us the opportunity to try international confrontation games and break out of the inherent framework of the traditional All-Star Game."

During this year's All-Star Weekend, many NBA stars such as Antetokounmpo, Wenban Yama, and Zhu Meng expressed their support for the international confrontation model.

In addition, the NBA announced last month that the All-Star Mini Championship system adopted this season will not continue. In his statement, Xiao Hua bluntly stated that the competition system "has not been effective" and said that the league "has not yet created an All-Star experience that satisfies all parties."

NBA data shows that about 70% of the league's players come from the United States, which means that under the "American team vs. World Team" competition system, international players have a better chance of being selected into the All-Star lineup.

However, Antetokounmpo, Vinban Yama, Jokic, Alexander, Siakam and Shin Kyung were all selected for the All-Star lineup this season. Although Doncic was not selected this time, he was almost an All-Star regular. Towns plays on behalf of his mother's motherland, Dominican national team. If the International Team is formed, these eight players will become the core team.

3 regular season MVP, Jokic from Serbia commented earlier this year: "The United States is indeed full of talents, but there are also strong stars in Europe and other regions. However, most of the players in the league are from the United States at present."