‘Mic needs to be turned off’ – Fans are irate over NBA’s inclusion of Kevin Hart on the broadcast

The NBA All-Star Weekend had a myriad of issues.

And one of those issues on Sunday night was who they chose to heavily include in the broadcast.

2

Kevin Hart and Shaquille O’Neal tried to entertain with their usual banter, but fans didn’t seem to be amusedCredit: Getty
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league have tried to find new ways to make the All-Star Weekend, and more specifically its game, more competitive.

They introduced a new format this year that saw the All-Star roster broken into three different teams, along with the Rising Stars squad, who then competed in a four-team tournament.

The result was Team Shaq (the OG’s) over Team Chuck (Global Stars)

It was hardly competitive and lacked the intensity and care that Silver was hoping for.

It was another swing and a miss by the league and its players.

What made matters worse, according to those watching, was the inclusion of Hart.

Fans and listeners were annoyed that he kept interjecting himself on the broadcast.

The Kevin Hart stuff is humiliating. The league should apologize to fans and players,’ one fan wrote on X.

‘The NBA really decided to make Kevin Hart the focal point of their entire all-star game broadcast,’ another fan questioned.

2

The NBA tried to mix things up and put Hart into the mix of the events, hoping for a positive reaction, but didn’t receive itCredit: Getty

‘Just play basketball. No one is trying to watch Kevin hart in 2025,’ one fam chimed in.

‘100% Annoying. Mic Needs to be Turned Off,’ another fan posted.

‘It’s cool that they’re letting the NBA guys play a little basketball during the breaks of this Kevin Hart special,’ another irritated fan said.

Hart’s appearance was an overwhelming negative.

There were awkward interjections, pauses in game action, even a Mr. Beast intermission that featured a fan winning 100k.

The new format and the side quests the NBA tried to infuse the event with were an epic flop.

It’s hard to blame Silver and the league.

They’re trying new things, but they just keep striking out.

At the end of the day, it’s on the players to care, and it seems that ship has long set sailed.