Sometimes you need things to get much worse before it gets any better. The new system was terrible obviously, not only the teams and such part was terrible, but also the fact that we have seen the whole Kevin Hart thing, everyone hated that and everyone was disgruntled about it too.
The players were literally telling Kevin Hart to shut up basically, like I can sort of understand commentators talking about players behind their back while the game is going on, but giving that feed directly to the players while the game is being played? Lebron was out from the start the moment he learned the new situation. But at least we got something out of this, we know that this isn't going to be working, and we are going to go back to old ways soon.
You might be right. They have to show their worst so the next time they change it, it might look better to us. The players were literally telling Kevin Hart to shut up basically, like I can sort of understand commentators talking about players behind their back while the game is going on, but giving that feed directly to the players while the game is being played? Lebron was out from the start the moment he learned the new situation. But at least we got something out of this, we know that this isn't going to be working, and we are going to go back to old ways soon.
Going back to the old ways might do the trick. I think there are many NBA fans who have been suggesting to use that format again and it might help kids to show how cool the true All-Star is.
They don't need prizes or whatever money-based trick to make the players competitive, perhaps just showing their seriousness with the All-Star could help out. The real problem is the management of each team, mostly owners. They don't want their star players to get hurt so they don't let them be competitive with this event to avoid injuries.
If the commissioner could talk to them then he might see where the real problem is. It's not the format, it's the players trying to keep themselves too safe.