KRASNODAR, Russia, December 9 (R-Sport) – The Eastern European VTB United league should have an All-Star Game, the general manager of the basketball league Andrei Shirokov said Sunday.
The VTB League was founded in 2008 and currently includes 20 teams from nine countries. CSKA Moscow is the highest-profile participant, followed by Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania.
The competition format was altered this year to determine the champion through a playoffs system rather than a Final Four shootout, which had acted as a de facto All-Star event.
“When the competition ends with a Final Four, as a rule, an All-Star Game is not held,” Shirokov said. “Every league should have a feast day that gathers all the best basketball players.”
He conceded it might not be possible until the teams adapt to the new format.
This season's VTB League champion will get an opportunity to advance to next term's Euroleague championship.
“The Euroleague wanted VTB League champion to be determined through Final Four,” the league's vice-president Andrei Vatutin said.
“So they were not delighted with our transition to the playoff system. But we think that this is a more fair way to determine the champion.”
