Well, the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is literally rewriting its rulebook. The league ditched the traditional East vs. West format and introduced some exciting changes – most notably, the four-point shot for the first time ever. Players could now score from four designated zones, each 28 feet from the hoop. And it worked. The pace picked up fast, clearly visible with Team Clark trailing Team Collier 80–106 early in the third quarter. But still, something felt missing. And Napheesa Collier and the broadcasters had plenty to say about that.

In fact, Napheesa put her demand clear as day before the game even tipped off. She was overheard chatting with fellow team captain Caitlin Clark after their pregame pressers, and the conversation naturally turned to the new four-point shot. Collier, half-joking but fully serious, said what everyone was thinking: “Caitlin, i think since you’re not playing and the 4 point shot was really for you,” referring to Clark’s supernatural range. Clark, pretty typically, replied, “It’s really not even that far though”. But Collier wasn’t letting that slide. Channeling full-on playful energy, she upped the ante with a grin: “Every 4 point shot that’s made you should take a shot“. Well, that did not happen. However, the broadcasters did not let the 4-point celebration talk die there.

It all came to light when Team Clark attempted a four-point shot and the referee signaled it with four fingers. But commentators Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco had a different idea. No, it wasn’t about the shot’s distance or any technical detail. They simply suggested that instead of the standard hand gesture, players should celebrate each four-pointer with a dance move.

“Yes, I would like to say like it’s an exciting four point shot.Don’t just put both hands in the air, like do a dance move” Rebecca said, and Ryan agreed. And honestly, they have a point. This wasn’t just another scoring option; it was a moment that deserved some flair. With the crowd erupting every time someone nailed one from deep, the four-point shot quickly became the star of the night.

So maybe it’s not just Cathy Engelbert who’d enjoy the dancing idea—Adam Silver might want to borrow it for the NBA, too. Even Caitlin Clark, sidelined with a groin injury, couldn’t resist chiming in from the bench: “My team didn’t realize how fast four-point shots would add up.”

And, she wasn’t wrong. At one point, Team Collier held a 30-point lead, fueled by a barrage of deep threes and four-pointers that left Team Clark struggling to keep up. That’s why the broadcast team’s playful commentary about inventing a dance move for every four-pointer may have sounded whimsical, but it perfectly captured the energy the league aimed for with this revamped format.

From a condensed 20-second shot clock to live substitutions, the game’s pace was faster and the action more continuous than ever. Add in the no-free-throws rule – where fouls result in automatic points, except in the last two minutes and OT – and the court was set for more highlight-reel moments and fewer stoppages.

Fun, right? It really was. Team Collier powered through to win 151–131, marking the highest team total in All-Star history, thanks to MVP candidate Napheesa Collier’s dominant 36-point performance. But while the WNBA is capitalizing on four-point shots, the NBA isn’t far behind.

Just a couple of months ago, the NBA officially announced the introduction of a four-point line—effective immediately—set at 30 feet from the basket and extending around the perimeter in a smooth arc. “The game has evolved, and so should we,” Commissioner Adam Silver said during a press conference. “Players are already shooting from incredible distances. It’s time to embrace that and give fans what they love most: deep threes and unbelievable moments.”

And if you think it’s just Caitlin Clark who’s all in for this idea, it’s not. Even Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard have been routinely draining shots from half-court range for years. “I’m ready for it,” Curry said when asked about the rule change. “I’ve been practicing from way out for years. Now it finally counts for something extra.” So, that’s the kind of energy shooters feel when it comes to the inclusion of the four-point line, but not everyone seems to be sold on the idea!

Four-point line a game-changer or a gimmick?

Traditionally, a “four-point play” was a rare event, granted only when a player made a three-point field goal while being fouled and then converted the extra free throw. It also applied when a two-point field goal was made with a flagrant or intentional foul, resulting in two free throws. If converted, the total came to four points on a single possession.

So yes, four-point plays have been around for years—but suddenly, the narrative has shifted. Now, with an actual four-point line marked on the court, the conversation around the value and strategy of these long shots has changed. And that’s why not everyone is on board with the NBA’s bold leap into long-range territory.

While the league promoted the change as a way to “embrace evolution” and ramp up excitement, some players and coaches quickly voiced skepticism. And leading the charge was Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who didn’t hold back as he shared,  “We build our system around ball movement and smart shots….Now, I worry some players will start chucking it up from 30 feet just for the bonus point. It’s not basketball—it’s a circus.”

Even King James chimed in with a dose of sarcasm when asked about the change. Well, the Lakers star laughed and shared, “Man, I don’t know. I’m all for excitement, but this feels like something straight out of a video game. Next thing you know, they’ll have a five-point line from the stands.” But, yes, the rules’s made and none could change it except for Adams. But can you imagine the NBA adding dance moves next, just to tease these skeptical coaches and players?