LeBron James and Kevin Durant have chosen their rosters for the basketball all star game 2021, with each naming eight players as starters and 14 reserves. The captains will also pick teams in an All-Star draft, similar to the past two years.
After a three-quarter game that ends with the clock stopped, the NBA will add up all of the team’s points to create what it calls a “Final Target Score.” The first team to reach or surpass that score will win the game.
The NBA says this will keep the All-Star Game competitive while making it easier for fans to follow. The game will be 48 minutes long, and each quarter will last 12 minutes. The league added 24 to the leading team’s total in the fourth quarter last year in honor of Kobe Bryant.
The new format isn’t foolproof, though. The NBA has seen some criticism from All-Stars including James, and Brooklyn Nets forward Durant complained that he had “zero interest” in the All-Star game after the Lakers’ loss to Denver on Friday.
The All-Star Weekend will feature the skills competitions — a 3-point shootout and a slam dunk showdown, as well as a celebrity matchup that will benefit charity. The NBA and the player’s union have set aside money for HBCUs and communities affected by COVID-19. This is one of the most visible ways that the NBA is showing support for those in need. The NBA and the player’s union are donating more than $2.5 million through this initiative.