How the 4 Nations model can fix the NBA All-Star Game

The NBA has an All-Star Game problem.

Players don't care, and at this point, neither do the fans. The event has become a microcosm of a regular-season marred by increasing disinterest and malaise.

The All-Star Game can only go as far as the players' desire for competitiveness takes it. And it doesn't appear like this current generation of players feel particularly bothered to compete. (Perhaps we can exclude Victor Wembanyama, who appeared upset when Jayson Tatum was allowed to freely drive to the hoop for the game-winning bucket.)

It's time for a solution, and if the NHL's current 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament involving the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland is any indication, a considerable overhaul might be the only fix.

4 Nations has been a smashing success

The NHL opted to scrap its 2025 All-Star Game and instead introduce the 4 Nations as a precursor to the league's return to Olympic competition in 2026.

The United States' 3-1 victory over Canada on Saturday in the fourth game of the round-robin phase had it all: anthem controversy, three fights in the opening nine seconds, and no love lost in a hyper-competitive affair that was enjoyed by hockey fans and casual viewers alike.

If the NBA were to adopt a similar idea based on its primary demographics, now is the time. Each of the last six MVP awards have gone to players born outside the U.S. (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic) and Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the current favorite to win this year's honor. Of the 26 players voted as All-Stars or selected as injury replacements for this year's game, eight players were either born outside the U.S. or represent another country in international competition.

The NBA has never been more international than it currently is, and if the league looks to replace the stagnant All-Star Weekend with a competition with a global flare, it could do worse than copy its NHL counterpart.

With this in mind, here's a hypothetical look at an international competition that would replace All-Star Weekend.

Format

Four 12-player teams would compete in a round-robin mini-tournament. The top two teams would advance to the finals after facing the three opponents once.

Games would consist of two 15-minute halves to allow the competition to be condensed into a two-day window. Each team would play twice on the first day and then complete round-robin play on the following day prior to the finals and third-place match.

To the victors go bragging rights and prize money provided by sponsors whose branding would be included across the competition.

As Antetokounmpo said during All-Star Weekend, a United States versus International format would provide "extra juice to compete."

Teams

For obvious reasons, this collection of NBA veterans would be the favorite to win the tournament. This team doesn't have an apparent weakness, and considering the players who didn't make the cut, it would be a huge upset if the Americans didn't win. While the format isn't "Team USA versus the world," it could certainly be interpreted as such.

Sitting fifth in the FIBA rankings, Canada has emerged as a basketball powerhouse over the last decade and would be well-represented. Gilgeous-Alexander, NBA champion Jamal Murray, and RJ Barrett would form an accomplished backcourt, while towering Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey would be relied upon in the middle.

There's no room for the likes of Santi Aldama, Jakob Poeltl, or OG Anunoby on this star-studded lineup made up of players from Europe. This is one of the tournament's most balanced teams and includes a frontcourt littered with All-Stars and franchise cornerstones. Nobody would want to play this squad.

A trio of Australian guards combine with Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid to highlight a team comprised of players from emerging basketball nations. For the sake of an earnest competition, Buddy Hield, Jordan Clarkson, and Karl-Anthony Towns - who all play internationally for other countries despite being born in the U.S. - are not included in Team World.