The NBA preseason is underway, with the official start of the 2017-2018 season kicking off on October 17th.
With the new season, the 2018 All-Star Weekend will get a new format.
According to ESPN, on Tuesday it was announced that the NBA All-Star format will be switched during the upcoming season. This time around, two captains will select the teams without regards to which conference the players play in.
The players who win the fan vote from each conference will be named team captains.
There will still be 12 players selected from each conference, and 5 players from both conferences will be selected to start. The fans vote will be worth 50 percent, and the player and media vote will be worth 25 percent each. Each of the conferences head coaches will choose the 7 reserves.
This new structure will allow players from each conference to play against each other, and it will allow current teammates to play against each other as well.
The switch-up was part of a collaboration between the league and the players union. Chris Paul, who serves as the union president, said this format has been discussed over the past few years.
He said, “I’m thrilled with what the players and the league have done to improve the All-Star Game, which has been a priority for all of us. We’re looking forward to putting on an entertaining show in L.A.”
Details on the All-Star Draft have not been determined as of yet, but the starters will be announced on January 18th and the reserves on January 23rd.
Voting will start on Christmas Day, and the 2018 All-Star Game will go down on February 18th.
Roommates, what are your thoughts?
