In the 1970s, the NBA was going through a major revamp. The great rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird made its inception. Hence, the competition was revived and there was a massive boost in the television broadcasting of the game.

Both were the captains of their respective conferences in the NBA All-Star matches and did not leave an inch for the other. This was chiefly because they knew they would play against each other after four months in the NBA Finals. Needless to say, the intensity and excitement of the match skyrocketed. Recently, the NBA All-Star matches have lost their age-old interest. What might be the reason for this?

Bringing back the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry

Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA, in a conversation with ESPN’s Andscape, opened up on a lot of factors. The event was graced by Chris Mullin, a Golden State Warrior legend. The San Francisco’s Chase Center is chosen as the host for the 2025 All-Star Game. Mullin, who was a part of five All-Star matches in his Hall of Fame career, advised Silver about organizing the games.

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Mullin said the key to those All-Star Games being competitive was having two NBA superstars Magic Johnson and Larry Bird leading the charge. “The top guys have to set the standard that’s like Bird and Magic,” Mullin told Andscape. “They didn’t want to give an inch because they were going to see each other in four months (in the NBA Finals).”

Changing the pre-game and half-time protocols

Silver further discussed how the Warriors legend Chris Paul opened his eyes about the All-Star games. “You guys tell us how important the All-Star Game is, but then you change all our pregame protocols so that we don’t go through our typical routines as we would before a game because you have these elaborate introductions,” Paul told Silver.

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The Warriors’ star guard further added, “No complaint about the introductions. We understand why you do it, but then you expect us then to go out and be in the mindset that we’re playing a typical basketball game.” 

Paul’s statements served as an eye-opener for Adam Silver. He said there will be fewer pregame introductions so that the players get time to prepare for the game. Also, he plans to extend the time limit for the half-time. This will ensure that the players feel it is more a friendly match, which it is, rather than going all competitive.

The Indiana Pacers’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse will host the 2024 All-Star Game, on 18th February. Silver is looking forward to changing the course of the game, starting in Indianapolis. He’ll make the players look forward to it as a fun game. It was decided last month, that the game might return to its traditional Eastern Conference vs Western Conference format. Let us wait to watch what awaits us.

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