It looks like this year’s All-Stars just received a little more incentive to actually compete come February 18. According to reports from both Marcus Thompson of The Athletic, and Chris Haynes of ESPN, players on the winning team during the upcoming NBA All-Star Game will be awarded $100,000 each, up from the $50,000 awarded in previous years. The losing team will each pocket $25,000. All-Star players who spoke to ESPN called the increased winnings a “game-changer.”
“I think it will help, for sure. That’s a lot of money,” Klay Thompson told ESPN. “It will definitely help.”
The added financial incentive continues a trend to make the All-Star game the competitive spectacle it was in the 80s and 90s, and move away from the glorified dunk contest it’s become in recent years. Instead of the traditional East/West format, the top two vote getters, Stephen Curry and LeBron James, were named team captains and constructed their own teams, drafting from the pool of All-Stars. This means the four representatives from Golden State will be broken up for the first time, with Kevin Durant joining James’ team, and Draymond Green and Klay Thompson teaming up with Steph.
“That’s significant. For some players, they just want to see (the game) being worth their time,” Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry told ESPN. “An idea I have is shortening the day. The entire game day is the biggest drag for us. Media (obligations), sponsorship appearances, (extravagant, prolonged) All-Star introductions. It’s obviously a made-for-TV event. After all that, then there’s the game. That’s a lot. But all the changes should help make the game a little better. It won’t be like (Saturday night against the Celtics), but it should be better.”
