Reviewing the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend: Hits and Misses

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Craig Carton Show

Assessing NBA All-Star Weekend: Highlights and Disappointments

NBA All-Star Weekend had its share of ups and downs, with the early events leaving much to be desired, according to Craig Carton. However, the games on the final day marked a turnaround, featuring intense play and a more competitive spirit, although not all players met expectations.

Carton pointed out that the new format of four 12-minute games inspired some players to perform earnestly, but others did not participate as expected. This lack of full engagement was a significant part of the weekend's critique, particularly concerning star players Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic. Despite their notable talents, Carton critiqued their minimal participation, which he felt marred the spirit of the event.

Moreover, an interesting case arose with Carl Anthony Towns, who played for the world team due to his mother's Dominican heritage. Carton expressed mixed feelings about such representations, especially considering Towns's deep roots in New Jersey and limited connections to the Dominican Republic beyond his heritage.

The engagement of other American stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who showed commendable performance levels, contrasted sharply with Doncic and Jokic's appearances. Carton emphasized the need for consistency in how we evaluate player performances, regardless of their stature. He suggested that if prominent players like LeBron had displayed a similar level of disinterest as Doncic and Jokic, the criticism would have been significantly harsher.

Overall, while some aspects of the NBA All-Star Weekend succeeded, notably the final games, the inconsistency in player participation and performance drew notable criticism from commentators like Carton, reflecting broader concerns about engagement and representation in such high-profile sporting events.