Despite featuring top talent from around the league, NBA All-Star Weekend has struggled to attract significant ratings and interest for quite some time. The game often turns into a high-scoring, flashy showcase, but it rarely creates a competitive edge between the opposing teams that keeps fans engaged.
The NBA has taken various steps to address this sentiment, including a successful reimagining of the 2020 All-Star Game campaign to honor the legacy of the late, great Kobe Bryant.In preparation for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, reports indicate that league officials are seriously considering another shakeup to the event's format.
According to Shams Charania, ESPN's Senior NBA Insider, the NBA All-Star Game will be revamped into a pickup-style tournament format. The event will feature four teams, each consisting of eight All-Stars, with one of the teams including the winner of that weekend's Rising Stars game.
How the four-team tournament-style 2025 NBA All-Star Game is expected to work, sources tell ESPN:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2024
- Two semifinal games up to 40 points, winners advance
- Finals game up to 25 points
Quick-burst competition, pickup ball-esque. https://t.co/VOyPvioj78
That said, this news couldn't be better for the Toronto Raptors. While it doesn't guarantee a Raptors player will become an All-Star, it certainly improves their chances. It's already challenging for an under-the-radar team in the NBA to gain the respect it deserves as the league's only non-US based franchise.
The Raptors' chances of securing an All-Star next year look promising
Next, consider Toronto's rebuilding direction, which certainly impacts their mainstream exposure. However, the Raptors still possess a wealth of talent that could propel them to compete for a spot in next year's All-Star Game.
Take the winner of that Rising Stars game for example. Without a doubt, Raptors sophomore player Gradey Dick is likely to be involved in that game, considering his impressive rise in his second NBA season. If his team succeeds in that effort, a hypothetical scenario could emerge in which 21-year-old Gradey Dick is technically an All-Star representing the Toronto Raptors.
If you're considering which other Raptors players might make a splash in the All-Star voting campaign,RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl are certainly worth a look. These two have arguably been Toronto's standout performers this season.
Barrett is a strong contender for the Most Improved Player award, currently averaging nearly 24 points, 6.5 rebounds, and just over six assists per game. Poeltl has emerged as a stud in his own right, demonstrating his prowess as a top big man in the NBA by averaging 17 points and nearly 12 rebounds per game this season.
Additionally, keep an eye on Scottie Barnes, who will need more playing time to be a serious contender for All-Star recognition. Barnes has already made an All-Star appearance, having been selected as an injury replacement last year.
Fans can only hope that at least one player from the Toronto Raptors makes a compelling case for inclusion in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.