JJ Redick has never been one to sugarcoat his opinions, and his reaction to this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend was no exception. When asked about the event, the Los Angeles Lakers head coach gave an unfiltered response that perfectly encapsulated the general sentiment surrounding the weekend’s festivities.
“I didn’t watch any of that s**t.”
His response, while harsh, reflects what many fans and analysts have been saying about the NBA’s failed attempt to rejuvenate the All-Star experience. The new four-team tournament format was met with widespread criticism, and even the players seemed disengaged from what was once a marquee event on the league’s calendar.
Redick, known for his deep basketball IQ and passion for the game, was a prime candidate to have insightful feedback on the changes. Instead, his complete disinterest speaks volumes. If a former player and current coach—who has spent his entire career analyzing and studying the game—felt no need to tune in, what does that say about the current state of the All-Star Game?
It wasn’t just Redick who voiced concerns. The 2025 All-Star Game has been widely regarded as one of the worst in history. The NBA tried to make drastic changes to boost competitiveness, but the result was an awkward and poorly received event.
The new format, which featured a mini-tournament with teams racing to reach a 40-point target, felt more like a gimmick than a legitimate improvement. Games were over within minutes, leaving little room for rhythm or excitement.
Fans expecting an intense, competitive battle between the league’s best players were left disappointed, as unnecessary breaks, celebrity cameos, and an over-the-top tribute to Inside the NBA overshadowed the actual basketball being played.
Redick’s stance mirrors that of many current and former players. The lack of competitiveness has become a major issue, and the NBA appears unsure of how to fix it.
Several players and former legends have openly voiced their disappointment with the new concept, arguing that the NBA has overcomplicated a simple formula. Charles Barkley, one of the loudest voices in basketball media, slammed the current generation of players for ruining the All-Star Game, blaming LeBron James and Stephen Curry’s era for diminishing its competitiveness.
Damian Lillard, who has always been one of the league’s more honest voices, proposed an alternative: bringing back East vs. West but adding higher stakes, such as giving the winning conference home-court advantage in the NBA Finals.
Darius Garland, another All-Star participant, had a simpler solution—money. Garland suggested that each player should receive $1 million if they win the All-Star Game, similar to the In-Season Tournament prize.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama threw their support behind a U.S. vs. World format, believing that national pride could be a strong motivator.
Even LeBron James, who was supposed to be one of the biggest draws of the weekend, withdrew at the last minute due to ankle soreness, further highlighting the declining importance of the game among the league’s top stars.
Adding to the growing skepticism, the NBA has yet to release the official All-Star Weekend ratings, which many interpret as a sign that viewership was underwhelming.
The league has experimented with several different formats over the past decade, from captains drafting teams to the Elam Ending, but none of them have reignited the passion and intensity that once defined the All-Star Game.
Redick’s comments, though blunt, reflect a larger issue plaguing the league. If the NBA doesn’t find a way to make the All-Star Game more meaningful for both players and fans, it risks turning the event into a glorified exhibition that nobody cares about.
The league may need to reconsider everything—from the financial incentives for players to the structure of the game itself—if it hopes to restore its former prestige. For now, however, Redick and many others remain checked out.
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