Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

On Tuesday the NBA announced they will be changing the format of the NBA Rookie Challenge All-Star Game.  Previously the game featured the NBA’s best rookies vs. sophomores as a precursor to the main All-Star game with the West going up against the East.  The game will now be called the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge with Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal picking the teams.  The NHL did something similar for their All-Star game held on the same weekend as the NFL Pro Bowl.  As we all have read, the Pro Bowl game has been chastised by fans, players and even Roger Goodell:

“We’re either going to have to improve the quality of what we’re doing in the Pro Bowl or consider other changes or even considering eliminating the game if that’s the kind of quality game we’re going to provide,” Goodell said.

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