Michael Jordan’s ex-Bulls teammate, Ron Harper, didn’t hold back on the 2025 NBA All-Star Game’s format. While watching the live contest split into two games and four teams, Harper took to X to express his dissatisfaction. He believed the league needed to return to the East vs. West format and have one game.
Harper also called out the NBA for making it an entertainment show rather than about the players and lauding them for their tremendous years.
“They’re making a joke out of the all star weekend for sure; it’s not about the players; it’s all the entertainment TRASH!!! Go back to EAST WEST GAME @NBAonTNT @NBA”
They’re making a joke out of the all star weekend for sure it’s not about the players it’s all the entertainment TRASH!!! Go back to EAST WEST GAME @NBAonTNT @NBA
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) February 17, 2025
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The NBA All-Star format was changed in a bid to make the game more competitive after the past few years turned out to be disappointing. Players didn’t play hard enough, and many compared it to a shootaround. The NBA decided to alter the game by having three games, two semis, and a championship contest to increase competitiveness.
The target score for a team to win the game is 40 points. The shortened version has thus far seen players compete harder than usual.
However, Michael Jordan’s ex-teammate Ron Harper, who has an $18,000,000 net worth (via Celebrity Net Worth), played when the traditional format worked. Many current and former players haven’t been satisfied with the new format. They believe the East vs. West format remains the best to date.
The NBA reinstated that last season after a draft format where the two team captains, who were the leading vote-getters in the West and East, would pick players from both conferences. However, last year wasn’t better from a competitive standpoint, either.
Michael Jordan’s ex-teammate Ron Harper had a problem with the Slam Dunk Contest too
Michael Jordan’s ex-teammate, Ron Harper, hasn’t had positive views regarding the 2025 NBA All-Star weekend in general. Before Sunday’s rant about the new format, Harper slammed the league for the Slam Dunk contest rules. Despite an exhilarating display from three-time winner Mac McClung and Spurs rookie Stephon Castle, Harper said:
“Go back to the 80 rules of the dunk contest no one dunk like this in a game…. STOP IT!!!”
Go back to the 80 rules of the dunk contest @NBAonTNT @NBA no one dunk like this in a game…. STOP IT!!!
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) February 16, 2025
Harper seemingly wasn’t pleased with the over-the-top efforts. Slam Dunk contests in previous eras were more about plays that were made during games and realistic for most players. However, that has seemingly changed over the years in the modern-day NBA.
