When Michael Beasley claimed a $100,000 prize by beating Lance Stephenson 31-21 in a high-stakes basketball showdown, it was more than just a game; it shook the basketball world. The intense matchup that was filled with raw emotion and streetball flair captured attention not only for the money on the line but also for its spotlight on basketball’s purest competition: one-on-one. This thrilling encounter reignited debates about the NBA’s evolving entertainment formats and how best to engage the fans. And who better than Dwight Howard to give insights on the same!
Part of the YouTube series The Next Chapter, Beasley managed to win $100,000 on the main event of the TNC 02 pay-per-view in Miami. The talking point? Some referred to the game as one of the top one-on-one games ever. Even while commentating, Kyrie Irving mentioned how he “would never” want to face the 36-year-old one-on-one. But that was not the only highlight.
Discussions on the game’s great intensity and personal tension ignited social media, which helped in transforming it from a straightforward game into a spectacle, combining rivalry with controversy. It highlighted individual talent in a manner that is rarely seen in the NBA nowadays. And Dwight Howard used this opportunity to pitch for a framework that may rejuvenate the NBA’s All-Star Weekend.
Taking to X, he posted, “Aye let this be the exact reason NBA should bring 1’s to all star weekend,” directly tying the excitement of Beasley’s victory to a challenge aimed at NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Howard’s call to action actually echoes concerns that have been bubbling for years about the All-Star Weekend.
Aye let this be the exact reason nba should bring 1’s to all star weekend https://t.co/UME2GVEZWu
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) June 7, 2025
This year, the All-Star game came with an altered format, which saw the selected players split into three separate teams. The game would go on until one team scored 40 points, automatically winning. This would then lead the winners to competing in a final game for the ultimate honor, till one side reached 40 points. However, what it failed to do was bring in increased competitiveness that could have revived this dying game.
Though Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up some bit of that competitiveness, it failed to resonate with the other All-Stars. To some degree, the semi-finals game still managed to bring in that close call, but the final game was a 16-point blowout for the “OGs.” The only exciting bits? Yeah, they were probably the final few minutes the OGs went up 11-0.
Even its execution had faced widespread criticism. Draymond Green sounded off on the fact that a non-All-Star team played in an All-Star game, and so did Kevin Durant. The coverage itself was questionable, where in the middle of the game, they halted the play for 20 minutes to honor the TNT crew who were moving to ESPN. While the fans largely understand the sentiment of honoring the crew, this pandering caused a distraction from the game itself.
And the viewership? Only 4.7 million people tuned in for the game this year, and this happens to be the second-lowest total in the past 25 years. This makes explicit the declining interest of fans, and if the NBA Commissioner doesn’t look into it soon, then the business side of the NBA will continue to take a hit. But if reports are to be believed, then something might be underway.
The NBA’s search for a new identity
From navigating social justice movements to experimenting with game formats, Adam Silver’s tenure as NBA Commissioner since 2014 has been characterized by bold initiatives and notable controversies. Yet, his attempts to innovate the game, like the Elam Ending in the All-Star Game or proposals for shorter quarters, have met mixed reactions, often criticized for diluting the game’s true essence.
And if certain reports are to be believed, then the NBA is in discussion to introduce a one-on-one tournament as part of the 2026 All-Star weekend that might boast a prize purse of $1 million. The idea is set to have gained significant traction during the 2025 All-Star Weekend, with several NBA stars openly supporting it.
Among the first, Anthony Edwards came to express his enthusiasm for the same, where he said Kevin Durant would be the most difficult player to face in such a format. On the other hand, Draymond Green picked LeBron James as his favorite to win such a tournament. The reason? The 40-year-old’s size, skill, and experience.
As per Front Office Reports, the format is still being ironed out, but the drafts suggest a 16-player bracket, with matchups determined by fan voting, seeding, or player challenges. The highlight of the game would still lie with the fundamental aspect of isolation scoring and individual defense.
While the NBA has now been long toying with the idea of bringing in such a format, the logistics and often times the willingness of superstars to participate have been a major roadblock. But with the growing focus on fan engagement, the timing might be the perfect launchpad.
Whether the NBA will heed Howard’s bold jab and pivot towards more thrilling, skill-centric showcases remains to be seen, but the conversation is unmistakably gaining momentum, as 1v1 is the way to go for the entertainment in basketball.
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