Charles Barkley Jokingly Praises NBA Stars Playing Hard at All-Star Event

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game was a success, with Anthony Edwards winning the MVP award.

Charles Barkley Jokingly Praises NBA Stars Playing Hard at All-Star Event

Charles Barkley and Inside the NBA to get just 30 minutes on ESPN (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's new USA vs. World format for the All-Star Game in 2026 received positive feedback from fans.
  • Charles Barkley expressed skepticism about the All-Star Game's competitiveness, stating that one strong quarter does not compensate for years of low effort.
  • Anthony Edwards led Team Stars to victory in the All-Star Game, earning the Kobe Bryant Trophy with a standout performance.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has had his hands full trying to raise the All-Star Game’s standards and entertain fans. They have changed the format multiple times over the last few years, but achieved very little success. However, the new format in 2026 seems to have struck a chord with the fans, with many praising Silver and his team for finally accepting the USA vs. World format.

There was a lot of noise heading into the All-Star weekend this year. Kevin Durant was criticized for shifting the blame onto Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic for the decline of the All-Star Game. For several years now, there has been a lack of commitment and effort from the players heading into the game.

Several analysts have tried to suggest different formats to increase the competitiveness of the game. To revive the game’s intensity, the NBA decided to try a new format for the 2025-26 season after abandoning the previous one.

The 2026 edition of the All-Star Game featured Team USA vs. Team World in a round-robin format with three teams, with each game played for 12 minutes (one-quarter of an NBA game). Two USA squads and one international squad. The NBA continues to prioritize global reach and fan engagement.

Former NBA player Charles Barkley was in the headlines not so long ago for calling out ESPN over scheduling issues. The Inside the NBA panelist never shies away from speaking his mind. On the Inside the NBA show, Barkley praised the All-Star Game this year with a hint of sarcasm.

I thought it was better. I mean, they only played a quarter. So, let’s don’t give them a cookie for playing hard for a quarter. It’s too many games. I don’t think LeBron and those guys want to play a bunch of games but I thought it was a good weekend for the NBA.

Barkley remains unconvinced by the recent All-Star Game improvements, saying one competitive stretch does not fix years of low effort. Overall, Chuck gave the All-Star Game two thumbs up, a crucial win for a league that sorely needed it.

Anthony Edwards led Team Stars to NBA All-Star glory

It was refreshing to see young stars Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama put on a show for the fans. The two future superstars promised to give their best and did not disappoint. The weekend was packed with action from start to finish.

Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards (Image credits – BBC)

With a much-anticipated USA vs. World format, the league rolled out a three-team round-robin tournament that delivered a jolt of competitiveness and drama. In the end, it was Team Stars anchored by Anthony Edwards.

The Wolves guard walked away with the Kobe Bryant Trophy (All-Star MVP). Edwards helped lead Team Stars in the final game to a 47-21 win against Team Stripes. The Timberwolves’ star finished with eight points, four rebounds, and two assists in the final game. With Edwards and Wemby not backing down, the league will hope that their performance and commitment will play a role in the future of the event.

Andre Iguodala praises new NBA All-Star Game format

There was a lot of skepticism heading into the All-Star Game this year. Another failure would be a huge blow to the event’s future. But as the round-robin tournament featuring two teams of USA stars and one of international stars was underway, plenty of praise came its way. 

Former NBA champion and Finals MVP Andre Iguodala was one of the many to applaud the changes. Iguodala tweeted:

Shoutout to David Kelly for the All Star format!

Iguodala credited NBPA managing director and general counsel David Kelly for helping with the new format. This year’s All-Star Game saw signs of life. However, it remains to be seen if the NBA and its players can build on the momentum and continue to make the game more competitive for years to come.

Also Read: