“They should know that it was me behind it.” This is what Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is trying to suggest on the topic about the 2026 All-Star Game format changes.
Adam Silver, NBA All-Star Game
Feb 16, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces the winner of the Kobe Bryant MVP award as Team LeBron forward Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers (not pictured) after the 2020 NBA All Star Game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
In case you missed it, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently announced that the league is mulling changing the format of the main event of the All-Star weekend after the backlash they received from the last one.
The 2025 format had four teams contending for the trophy – Shaq’s OGs which included the veteran stars, Chuck’s Global Stars which is a mixed of international players and homegrown stars who weren’t included in the OGs, and Kenny’s Young Stars and Candace’s Rising Stars who are composed of up and coming players.
That was not well received and the league is changing things drastically. It will now be Team USA vs Team World.
Antetokounmpo was among the first to push for this format and he wants to take credit for this revision. He made the statement during an interview in a local media outlet in Brazil where he is having his offseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, NBA All-Star Game
Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chuck’s Global Stars forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks during introductions before the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
“Dude, first of all, you know the NBA stole my idea, right? Let that be known!,” he answered.
“But seriously, I loved it, I loved it. It looks like they’re going to adapt this idea of USA vs. World, but we (team world) are ready for the competition.”
Can Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Team World match up?
Team USA will probably the OGs again. They are Lebron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant. Add there Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson and Kawhi Leonard if he’s healthy.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has a high chance of becoming Team World’s leader but who will join him? One could bet that they will give Team USA a run for their money.
USATSI 25504536
February 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Kenny’s Young Stars guard Jalen Brunson (11, right) of the New York Knicks celebrates making a three-point basket against Chuck’s Global Stars forward Victor Wembanyama (1, left) of the San Antonio Spurs during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Team World are the last MVPs the league has seen. Aside from Antetokoummpo, the team’s core will be composed of Nikola Jokic and 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If 2023 MVP Joel Embiid manages to return, he might be a shoo-in, too.
Luka Doncic, a perrennial MVP contender will be there, too.
Other players in the mix for Team World are Karl Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama, Alperen Sengun, and Pascal Siakam.
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