The 2025 NBA All-Star Game was a disappointment, and this trend has been noted over the years. According to Brendan Haywood, the ex-NBA player, this decline began post-2017, following Kobe Bryant’s retirement.

“You know when the quality of the All-Star Game started going down? When Kobe Bryant retired,” said Haywood, attributing the All-Star Game’s waning allure to the absence of such competitive spirit from top league players.

Haywood elaborates on how Bryant set high standards for the game, discussing how the current stars, including LeBron James and Jayson Tatum, could elevate the competition if they chose to exert more effort.

As the format of the All-Star Game continues to revamp, its ability to resonate with fans hinges heavily on the players’ commitment to give it their all—a legacy Kobe Bryant embodied.