Kevin Durant Calls Out Luka and Jokic Ahead of All-Star Game: “Do They Even Care?”
The NBA All-Star Game has been under fire in recent years, and not without reason. What was once a showcase of elite talent and competitive fire has too often looked more like a layup line with half-court heaves sprinkled in.
The league has heard the noise and responded with yet another format tweak-this time going with a USA vs. World setup in hopes of injecting some pride and intensity back into the midseason classic.
But not everyone’s convinced that effort will magically appear just because the jerseys say “USA” or “World.” Kevin Durant, never one to bite his tongue, made that clear this week when he addressed the upcoming All-Star matchup-and he didn’t hold back when it came to calling out a couple of international stars.
“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they're going to compete,” Durant said during a recent media session. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let's go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition?”
Durant’s frustration centered on what he sees as a double standard. While veteran American players often get criticized for coasting through the All-Star Game, he believes others are getting a pass-particularly Doncic and Jokic.
“These two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don't care about the game at all,” Durant continued. “These dudes be laying on the floor.
They're shooting from half court. But you've got to worry about the old heads playing hard?
I can read between the lines, bro.”
Durant’s comments shine a light on a broader issue that’s been bubbling for years: the All-Star Game has become more spectacle than sport. And while Doncic and Jokic are far from the only ones guilty of dialing it down, their laid-back approach has become emblematic of the game’s overall lack of urgency. Think jogging up and down the floor, casual three-point attempts from the logo, and very little resistance on defense.
To be fair, this isn’t exclusive to international players. Plenty of American stars have treated the game like a glorified shootaround. But Durant’s point is clear-if we’re going to talk about effort, let’s talk about everyone’s effort.
There are players who take the game seriously, and they tend to stand out. They rack up points, push the pace, and often walk away with All-Star MVP honors. They treat the game like it means something, even if it’s just pride or legacy on the line.
With the new USA vs. World format, the league is hoping to tap into that competitive edge.
National pride, even in an exhibition setting, can be a powerful motivator. And if Durant’s comments are any indication, some players are already taking it personally.
Whether that translates to a more watchable, hard-fought game remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure-Durant has drawn a line in the sand. Now it’s up to Luka, Jokic, and the rest of the World Team to respond.