LeBron James discusses uptick in 3s, changes to the All-Star Game format and becoming the NBA minutes leader

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James said the discourse surrounding the state of the NBA should extend beyond the new polarizing All-Star Game format.

“It’s not just the All-Star Game. It’s our game in general,” James said at shootaround in Sacramento on Thursday. “… There’s a lot of f—ing 3s being shot. So it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.”

James acknowledged that “something had to change” with the All-Star Game given the fan and media reaction to it in recent seasons.

“I mean, it’s different in a way,” James said of the new tournament format. “But I don’t know, I don’t really have one… We’ll see, we’ll see when we get there. It’s different. Obviously, any time you make some kind of change, it’s going to be some money back. I don’t know. I have my ideas about what might work.”

When asked how he would improve the exhibition game, James refused to share.

“Yeah, I won’t,” James said.

He also declined to divulge how he would deal with the recent surge in 3-point shooting over the past decade.

“I can’t do it today, not in Sacramento,” James said. “Sacramento, I love you guys, but you can’t have this conversation today. It’s just a bigger conversation.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke Tuesday in Las Vegas ahead of the NBA Cup championship about analytics and the recent increase in 3-point volume.

“It’s not unique to the NBA where analytics start to be too controlling and create situations where players do seemingly unnatural things because they’re being directed to do something that’s a more effective shot,” Silver said. “And part of what we also focus on is that what makes these players so incredible is the joy they bring to playing the game and the freestyle notion of the game as well.

“I think we need to take this notion of more diversity in the offense seriously. And I watch as many games as you all do, and you know to the extent that it’s not so much a 3-point issue, but that some of the crowd, some of the offenses, are starting to look kind of cookie-cutter, and teams are copying each other. I think that’s something we have to be aware of.”

James clarified that the league did not consult him about the new setup.

“No, I didn’t,” James said. “I was not part of the committee.”

The new All-Star format, which features a four-team, three-game, one-night tournament, including three teams of eight All-Stars and one team of the winner of the Rising Stars challenge for first- and second-year players , has been controversial. Several NBA stars, including Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, criticized it this week.

“I don’t really like it,” Davis said Wednesday. But we’ll see how it goes this year and we’ll see if they change it or not. … If anything, go back to east-west. But four teams, and more matches and all that… I don’t think many players will personally like it. But we’ll see. We’ll see how it goes.”

“I hate it, I absolutely hate it,” Durant said Tuesday. “Terrible. The All-Star Game format is changing, all the formats — horrible in my opinion. We should just go back to East-West. Just play a game. I think we’ve tried to bring that flare back on a any way with All-Star Weekend, I think we’ll just keep the tradition going. We’ll see how this one works out. You never know. I’m just another guy with an opinion, but we’ll see it works.”

“It’s change, it’s different,” Booker said Wednesday. “I’m more into nostalgia. I agree with Kev. I like east versus west with your own team jersey. I like the old jerseys. It’s whatever.”

When relayed the criticism of his peers, James refused to agree.

“Everybody has their own opinion,” James said.

James (57,437 regular-season minutes all-time) spoke to reporters Thursday as he is 10 minutes away from passing NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (57,446 regular-season minutes all-time) for the most regular-season minutes played in NBA history . .

James (69,296 all-time minutes) already passed Abdul-Jabbar (66,297 all-time minutes) for the most minutes between the regular season and the playoffs combined on November 27, 2023 in Philadelphia.

“I just think it’s a commitment to the craft and the passion and love I have for the game,” James said of the milestone. “I don’t spend a lot of time in the offseason. A little more time now, I didn’t spend a lot of time in the offseason, no matter if I played the 10 finals back to back and just always tried to keep my body in tip-top shape.

“And, as I said, I’ve been able to play a lot of minutes and for most of my career be injury free and be available. I wouldn’t say damage free. We all have our injuries in this league and in this sport. But being available to the majority for my teammates, for the franchises, the three franchises I play for, is something I took very seriously.”

James is coming off a stretch where he missed two games over nine days, rehabbing and training away from the team. When he returned on Sunday, he appeared more exuberant and touted the benefits of his break after the game.

Going forward, James said he’s open to rest in the future if it’s part of a schedule that makes sense.

“I’m just not a guy that likes to play if I’m somewhat healthy,” James said. “It doesn’t matter. It’s just never been my thing. … If there’s an opportunity where it can benefit my body and benefit my game long-term for the best of the team, then I’m always open to that conversation. So we’ll see what happens.”

(Photo: David Berding/Getty Images)