The NBA has announced the creation of a mini-tournament with four teams, with a prize of 125,000 dollars per player of the winning team. In this tournament, 24 players will compete, divided into three teams of eight members each, selected among the most voted. Additionally, a fourth team called 'Rising Stars' will be included in the 'final four'. The competition will consist of two semifinals and a final, with the first team to reach or exceed 40 points being the winner.
To provide a more competitive spectacle, the NBA will distribute a total of 1.8 million dollars in prizes. Each member of the championship team will receive a check for 125,000 dollars, while the finalists will each take home 50,000 dollars. Meanwhile, the third and fourth place teams will receive 25,000 dollars per player.
On the other hand, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has been selected to start in the All-Star Game for the twenty-first time in his career. LeBron James, at 40 years old, continues to showcase his dominance in the league, averaging 23.78 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9 assists this season with the Lakers. The list of starters selected for the Western Conference is completed by Steph Curry, Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Kevin Durant.
As for the East, the chosen starters are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, and Jayson Tatum. The voting by fans, which influences 50% of the decision for All-Star starters, ended on January 20. The NBA announced a format change for this year's All-Star in December, aiming to increase the excitement and competitiveness of the event.