The NBA All-Star Game is in need of a serious jolt, and commissioner Adam Silver knows it. That’s why he’s once again tweaking the format-this time going with a USA vs.
World setup-to try and breathe life into a showcase that’s lost its competitive edge. But while the league is doing its part to shake things up, the real question is whether the players will meet the moment.
Kevin Durant, never one to shy away from a pointed take, isn’t putting the blame on himself or his fellow veterans. Instead, he’s turning the spotlight on some of the league’s brightest international stars-specifically Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić.
"You should ask the Europeans and the world team if they're going to compete," Durant said. "I mean, because we look at Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić now, let's go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition?"
Durant didn’t mince words. He called out what he sees as a lack of effort from the international side, accusing Dončić and Jokić of treating the game like a glorified shootaround-lying on the floor, pulling up from halfcourt, and generally not taking it seriously. His message was clear: if we’re going to talk about effort, let’s talk about everyone’s effort.
Now, to be fair, this isn’t a one-sided issue. The All-Star Game’s malaise isn’t just about a few players coasting.
It’s been a league-wide trend. The energy has been missing across the board, and fans have noticed.
The game that once gave us memorable one-on-one battles and fourth-quarter intensity has, in recent years, felt more like a layup line with a DJ.
That’s exactly what Silver is trying to fix. By going with a USA vs.
World format, the league is hoping to tap into something deeper-national pride, competitive spirit, maybe even a little friendly rivalry. It’s not quite the same as the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, where players suit up for their home countries with flags on their chests, but it’s the NBA’s closest approximation.
And the timing makes sense. The international talent in the league has never been stronger.
Jokić, Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-these guys aren’t just All-Stars, they’re MVP-caliber players. Matching them up against the best American-born stars adds a layer of intrigue that’s been missing in recent years.
The big question is whether that’s enough to get the players to actually compete. Because no format tweak, no matter how clever, can manufacture effort.
That has to come from the players themselves. The All-Star Game used to be a badge of honor.
Now, it’s in danger of becoming an afterthought.
Sunday will be the first test. If the new format sparks some real energy-if we see players actually defending, pushing the pace, and playing with pride-then maybe this experiment works. If not, the league may have to think even bigger to salvage what was once one of the most exciting nights on the NBA calendar.
Durant’s comments may ruffle some feathers, but he’s not wrong to expect more. Fans do too. The All-Star Game doesn’t need to be Game 7 of the Finals-but it does need to matter.