Darius Garland has a simple solution to make the NBA All-Star Game more competitive—give each player $1 million. Speaking to The Athletic in an annual poll of All-Star participants, the Cleveland Cavaliers guard did not hold back in suggesting that financial incentives would be the key to increasing the intensity of the game.
“A million dollars per player.”
While the All-Star Game has long been a fan-favorite spectacle, in recent years, criticism has grown regarding the lack of effort displayed by the league’s top players.
Many fans believe the event has turned into a glorified exhibition with little to no defense, minimal effort, and an overemphasis on entertainment rather than competition. Garland believes that offering a financial reward would solve this issue, similar to how the NBA’s In-Season Tournament saw increased engagement once money was on the line.
The In-Season Tournament introduced a $500,000 prize per player for the winning team, and initially, there was skepticism about whether players would take it seriously.
However, once the tournament started, the atmosphere changed. The level of competition increased, and teams treated games with a playoff-like intensity.
While this season’s edition saw a slight dip in engagement, the first tournament proved that financial incentives do, in fact, motivate players to step up their game. Garland believes that a million-dollar prize per player in the All-Star Game could replicate this effect.
The question remains whether money alone would be enough. Most All-Star players are already on max contracts or high-value deals, earning tens of millions of dollars per year. For some, an extra million dollars might not be a strong enough incentive.
But it could still be an attractive addition, especially for younger players or those not making top-tier salaries. Additionally, the prospect of winning a substantial cash prize in front of millions of viewers could enhance the competitive spirit of the event.
Other All-Stars had their own suggestions for making the game more competitive. Trae Young believes that the format should return to the traditional East vs. West battle, with a winner-takes-all approach.
He suggested that the winning team should receive a significant financial bonus while the losing team gets little to nothing. Young believes that this would spark a sense of pride among the players and force them to compete harder.
Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn took things a step further, proposing a playoff-related incentive. He suggested that the winning team should receive some sort of postseason advantage, such as a homecourt advantage in Game 1 of the playoffs.
While this idea would be difficult to implement fairly, it highlights the need for a tangible reward that players would actually care about.
Another proposal gaining traction is a Team USA vs. Team World format. Victor Wembanyama voiced his support for this idea, saying that such a format would add more meaning to the game by emphasizing national pride.
With international players like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating the league, a USA vs. World showdown would likely be highly competitive and compelling for fans.
Ultimately, the NBA is searching for ways to restore excitement and competition to the All-Star Game. Whether it be financial incentives, a revamped format, or added playoff implications, it is clear that changes are needed to bring back the intensity that once made the event so special.
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