Stephen Curry made waves during his recent appearance on NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dubs Talk by sharing insights about the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, set to take place in the Bay Area. The Golden State Warriors superstar discussed the event’s new format and the buzz surrounding this year’s 3-point contest.
Revamping the All-Star Game: A Tournament-Style Format
Curry revealed that the NBA is introducing a bold new approach to the All-Star Game to increase competition and excitement. The proposed format divides the All-Stars into four teams:
- Three teams composed of the 24 selected All-Stars.
- The fourth team will be formed from the winners of the Rising Stars Game.
Here’s how the games will work:
- Semi-final games will be played up to 40 points.
- Final game will be played up to 25 points.
The goal is to create a faster-paced, competitive atmosphere while managing player workloads. Curry emphasized the importance of balancing excitement with practicality, especially for veteran players and younger stars juggling heavy minutes.
“You create manageable times for guys to play at a certain level… It’s not an excuse or cop-out; it’s just a different landscape now,” Curry explained.
Fans have long clamored for a refreshed format, and Curry expressed optimism that this shift could reignite the energy of All-Star Weekend.
3-Point Contest: Star Power with a Twist
In addition to the new game format, the 3-point contest is also expected to get a facelift. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Steph Curry and WNBA sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu are likely to headline the event once again, following their spectacular showing last year. But this time, they might bring notable teammates along:
- Curry could pair up with Klay Thompson, now with the Dallas Mavericks.
- Ionescu may join forces with Caitlin Clark, the WNBA rookie sensation who has captivated basketball fans.
This unique format would pair NBA and WNBA stars in a dynamic team-based competition, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.
Bay Area Spotlight
With the 2024 All-Star Weekend running from February 14–16 at the Chase Center, the Bay Area will become the center of basketball excitement. Warriors fans, already thrilled by Curry’s leadership and star power, will see their city host some of the league’s most innovative All-Star Weekend changes in years.
Between the revamped All-Star Game format and the exciting potential of a team-based 3-point contest, Curry believes this year’s event could set the stage for a new era in NBA All-Star history. Fans will be watching closely to see how these experiments play out on basketball’s grandest mid-season stage.
