‘You created a problem!’ – Heated Shannon Sharpe fires back at Draymond Green after Warriors star slams new All-Star Game format

It’s safe to say Draymond Green isn’t a fan of the new All-Star Game format.

The league and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver introduced a new format this year in a bid to rejuvenate All-Star Weekend and arrest declining viewership figures.

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Instead of the traditional single game set-up between East vs West, this year’s All-Star Weekend featured a four-team mini-tournament, with each team comprising eight players. 

Three teams were drafted by NBA analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith, while the fourth team consisted of the winners from the Rising Stars Challenge, led by former WNBA star Candace Parker.

However, the outspoken Green slammed the new format, voicing his strong disapproval in the middle of the game while working on TNT’s coverage of the exhibition.

After Team Chuck beat Team Kenny 41-32 in the first game of the mini-tournament, the four-time All-Star said: “You work all year to be an All-Star, you get to play up to 40 and you’re done.

“This is so unfair to Victor Wembanyama, who took this game really seriously. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just took this game really seriously,” Green added.

“When you talk about chasing after the points record — Melo and Kobe all these guys who have had great scoring nights — they don’t get the opportunity to do that with this format. … What are we doing? This is ridiculous.”

“Ten being the best? A zero,” Green went on. “This sucks. It ain’t basketball.”

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He took particular exception to eight non-All-Stars competing in the All-Star Game for the Rising Stars, and the games only running until one team reached 40 points.

“I had to work so hard to play on Sunday night of All-Star Weekend, and because ratings are down and the game is bad, we’re bringing in Rising Stars. That’s not a fix.

“I didn’t play in the Rising Stars game and these guys get to touch the All-Star game?… those guys did not make the All-Star game. To be playing in the All-Star game & you didn’t make the All-Star team is absurd.”

Green’s rant was met with stiff opposition from Charles Barkley, who blamed Draymond’s generation for messing up All-Star weekend in the first place.

“I’m going to disagree with Draymond a lot. We’re trying anything. His generation messed the game up,” Barkley said.

“We doing every type of trick we can to make this weekend exciting.”

NFL legend Shannon Sharpe also responded to Green’s take.

The three-time Super Bowl winner agreed with Barkley, suggesting the reason the All-Star Game has been revamped is because of current stars’ lack of effort.

“Hey Draymond, had all you guys done what you’re supposed to, guess what, they [Rising Stars] wouldn’t be [involved in the game].

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“The Commissioner is trying anything to drum up interest in this game.

“You created a problem, and then when other people try to solve it and rectify the problem that you guys created, you get mad.

“How about you guys play a little harder, and the Rising Stars wouldn’t be playing on Sunday. Then we wouldn’t have had this format.

“I’m confused why he’s upset for a problem they created.

This year’s showpiece drew mixed reviews from fans.

Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards all sat out, while LeBron James shocked fans prior to tip-off fans by announcing he wasn’t playing due to a foot issue.

In the end, Shaq’s OG’s knocked out Team Chuck in the championship game 41-25, with Steph Curry named the 2025 All-Star MVP.

The legendary sharpshooter finished with 20 points, ten rebounds and six 3-pointers.