East vs West returns! The most memorable games from the old NBA All-Star format

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced last week that the NBA will be going back to its original format of East vs West for the 2024 All-Star game.

The change ends the All-Star Draft era of the game after six seasons, with team captains determined through fan voting of starting five on each team.

The All-Star game needed a revamp, with the event becoming less competitive each year. Commissioner Silver reinforced how important it is for the fans.

According to ESPN's First Take, Silver said: "A lot of it comes down to reinforcing with our players and our teams how important this is for the fans. We don't expect playoff intensity. But we expect a competitive game for our fans."

Over the years, the East vs West NBA All-Star games have been competitive and provided fans with memorable moments. Here is the pick of the best!

The 1988 NBA All-Star game introduced Michael Jordan as a star, winning the dunk contest over Dominque Wilkins and scoring 40 points in the Easts 138-133 victory over the West, securing the All-Star MVP award.

As well as winning his two accolades at the All-Star game, Michael Jordan would go on to win the MVP award and the Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.

Magic Johnson made an emotional return to the court at the 1992 All-Star game, leading his West team to a 153-113 victory over Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas' East team.

Johnson had been out of the game after retiring before the 1991-92 season due to contracting HIV. He marked his return with 25 points and winning the All-Star game MVP.

Kobe Bryant laced up his sneakers for his 18th and final All-Star game in 2016, and the game didn't disappoint, with the East and West combining for 369 points, an All-Star game record.

Luckily for Bryant, it was his West team that got the better of LeBron James' East, winning 196-173, and Russell Westbrook winning MVP.

The 2001 All-Star game was West dominated, possessing Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, David Robinson, and Shaquille O'Neal. However, none could get near the 6ft1 assassin Allen Iverson of the East.

Iverson was unstoppable in the 2001 season, and with Antonio Davis and Anthony Mason in the forward slots, Iverson knew it was his game to win, securing 15 points in the final nine minutes to overcome a 21-point deficit and win the MVP.

The 2003 NBA All-Star game was all about Michael Jordan, who had already confirmed it would be his final All-Star game. Jordan was selected as a reserve for the East, but Vince Carter gave up his starting spot for 'His Airness.'

For Jordan, his signature fadeaway shot with five seconds left should have won him the MVP, but Kobe Bryant scored two free throws at the buzzer, taking the game to overtime and the West eventually winning 156-145.

With the East vs West game making its long-anticipated return, who are the strongest players in each conference this season?