Draymond Green blames NBA for All-Star Game's decline

Golden State Warriors star says the league's event-heavy format is responsible for waning effort and competitiveness.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Draymond Green, the veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors, has criticized the NBA for the declining quality and competitiveness of the league's annual All-Star Game. Green believes the NBA's event-heavy format around the All-Star weekend, including the Slam Dunk Contest and 3-Point Shootout, has led to players putting in less effort during the main All-Star Game itself.

Why it matters

The NBA's All-Star Game has long been one of the league's marquee events, showcasing the top talent in the sport. However, in recent years, the game has been criticized for lacking intensity and competitiveness as players prioritize avoiding injury over playing at a high level. Green's comments highlight the league's challenge in balancing entertainment value with preserving the integrity of the All-Star Game.

The details

Green pointed to the NBA's packed schedule of events during All-Star weekend, including the Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Shootout, and other skills competitions, as the primary reason for the decline in effort during the main All-Star Game. He believes players are more focused on participating in the ancillary events and avoiding injury than playing hard in the exhibition game itself.

  • The 2026 NBA All-Star Game took place on February 16, 2026.

The players

Draymond Green

A veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors who has been selected to the NBA All-Star team four times.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Green's criticism of the NBA's All-Star format highlights the league's ongoing challenge of balancing entertainment value with preserving the integrity and competitiveness of its marquee exhibition game. As the NBA continues to expand its All-Star weekend programming, it will need to find ways to incentivize players to take the main game seriously and put forth maximum effort.