Kevin Durant pushed back against criticism of the NBA All-Star Game, saying fans and media focus too much on competitiveness. He emphasized that All-Star Weekend is about celebrating basketball and bringing the league together, not playoff-level intensity.
The Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant addressed the ongoing debate around the All-Star Game this weekend, pushing back against the idea that the event has lost its competitiveness.
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With viewership numbers often discussed and fans comparing today's game to older eras, Durant made it clear he believes the criticism is overblown.
"I just feel like fans and media need something to complain about, and the All-Star Game don't make them feel like it made them feel back when they were kids, so they need something to complain about," the 37-year-old said per The Athletic.
"I don't think it's that big of a deal, to be honest. The All-Star Game, the All-Star Weekend, it's here to celebrate the game of basketball."
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Over the years, the NBA has tried several format changes to spark more intensity. The league experimented with a draft format, different team setups and even World vs USA concepts. Still, every season the same conversation returns about effort level and defense in the All Star Game.
"People at home complaining about the game and the intensity of it, I don't think we'll ever get past that," Durant said. "I just think it's way bigger than that this weekend. We can talk about who plays harder, the U.S. team vs. the World team, all that stuff doesn't matter. I just really feel like this is a great weekend, and it brings so many people together and helps push the game forward."
For Durant, the All-Star Weekend is not about who dives on the floor or who locks in defensively for 48 minutes. He views it as a celebration of the sport.
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