Kevin Durant sparked debate ahead of the NBA All Star Game by calling out Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic when asked about effort in the event. Responding to questions about whether his Old Heads team would compete hard, Durant suggested that criticism should also be directed at Team World stars.
Kevin Durant added fuel to the fire ahead of the 75th NBA All-Star Weekend. After his recent game, Durant was asked whether his self-proclaimed Old Heads squad would compete hard in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game.
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Instead of focusing only on Team USA veterans, the Houston Rockets forward turned the conversation toward Team World stars Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
"Go ask the Europeans and the world team if they want to compete," Durant said, per Houston reporter Michael Shapiro. "Because if you look at Luka and Nikola Jokic now, let's go back and look at what they did at the All-Star game, at that competition. So we have a question what they've been doing, but we're gonna question old heads and Americans."
"But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don't care about this game at all. They're shooting half-court, but you gotta worry about the old heads playing hard. I can read between the lines, bro. I'm just thinking about the times, I'm just saying that I can read between the lines. And it's not just about you, it's just an overall topic that everybody's talking about," he added.
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Durant made it clear he believes the criticism about effort in the NBA All-Star Game has been one-sided. In recent years, fans have questioned the lack of defense, physicality, and overall intensity during the exhibition.
KD suggested that veteran American players are often the main target of that debate, while international stars avoid the same scrutiny.
This year, the NBA is introducing a new All-Star format. Team USA and Team World will meet in a round robin tournament, raising the stakes of the annual showcase.
With Luka and Jokic expected to lead Team World, and Durant representing the experienced American core, the matchup adds an extra competitive edge. The NBA All-Star Game will take place on February 15.
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