Rockets star Kevin Durant doesn’t buy the argument that players used to compete much harder in the All-Star Game, according to Devon Henderson and Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Sunday will mark Durant’s 16th appearance in the contest, so he has a lot of personal experience to offer a comparison. In addition, he told reporters on Saturday that he watched “at least the first quarter of every All-Star Game from like the ’70s up until the late ’90s” to see if there was a noticeable difference in the level of play.
“I’ve been watching All-Star Games and the intensity the older generation been talking about,” Durant said before trailing off and shaking his head disapprovingly. “I don’t know if I’ve seen it.”
Henderson and Nehm note that ratings for the game have been falling dramatically amid the perception that the players don’t really care, with last year’s contest marking a 13% decline from 2024. However, Durant believes the players are easy scapegoats for the public’s waning interest in the event.
“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,” he said. “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.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Posting on Twitch, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving said he’s planning to provide an update after the All-Star break on his recovery from ACL surgery and the possibility of a return this season, relays Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). There has been speculation for months that Irving may be able to return around this point of the season, but the team hasn’t announced any sort of timetable. “It’s not easy to come back from any injury,” Irving said (Twitter video link), “but you gotta be mentally, spiritually, physically ready and the frustrating portion has been not being able to push myself to that brink, where you’re just dog tired.”
- Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscription required) asked Grizzlies players for their suggestions to improve All-Star Weekend, which include convincing star players to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest and adding a one-on-one tournament to Saturday’s schedule. Rookie guard Jahmai Mashack believes the addition of an international team this year will help to boost interest. “I like the idea of USA versus World,” he said. “That’s really cool. I just think players got to be more competitive. Once you go out there, you got to treat it like a real game. Maybe have the stakes be a little bit higher and give them something to compete for.”
- The Grizzlies‘ Santi Aldama and the Pelicans‘ Trey Murphy III have been selected as vice presidents for the NBPA executive committee, Cole tweets.
KD is part right as the game itself has never been that competitive. I think the skilled events were, use to get actual stars to do dunk contest. The 3pt has always been competitive or able to get high profile guys.
When did stars actually do the dunk contest? Kobe was a rookie, MJ was in his third season when they did it
Up and coming stars.
Jordan was a high pick and people saw potential.
Kobe was viewed as a potential star
Dr.J did dunk contest
Dominique
Drexler
Larry Johnson
Kemp
Ray Allen not a dunker but tried not scared to look bad
Dwight Howard and Blake Griffin #1 picks and already had big impact on league by the time they did it.
Isiah Rider not a star long term but 5th overall pick had hype
Legendary Oakland one with Vince, Tmac, Francis, Stackhouse
Baron Davis
Amare Stoudemire
Derozan tried early in career 9th pick
John Wall
Paul George
Dame even tried
Giannis but before he was that guy
Lavine earlier career had potential
Oladipo before terrible knee injuries
Jaylen Brown last established star. Castle has started qualities and Buzelis too. But newer guys also lacking. Creativity and charisma they play too cool.
Jalen Green was a high draft pick and he did it, so was Castle
You basically proved that star players never did this, only when they were young and still up and coming.
You realize Jordan was averaging 35+pts by the time he did them right? He was a star
Wilkins was a star 5+ years in and face of franchise
Drexler star playing 36min a night and did contest twice.
Blake Griffin was a star as he was named to AS game as a rookie, literally a highlight on Sportscenter every night. He even got an MVP vote as a Rookie.
Dwight Howard was 4 years in 36min a night already All Star had an All NBA and the year he did it was 1st team allNBA and Def.
Kemp did contest 4 times saying he was already a star.
I could go on but you should try harder if you want me to continue instead of cherry pick Jalen Green who I didn’t mention.
I dont understand, you literally said all these guys were young and up and coming players which are exactly the same type of players that still do the dunk contest.
What player has been as good as MJ in their 3rd season? Blake being an all star doesnt remove the fact that he was a rookie and a young player.
Those are the same exact type of players that still participate in the dunk contest. Nothing has changed.
So if I’m wrong, give me 4 players that should have participated this year that match your criteria…
KD is sooo right!
Just an urban legend that players competed harder back then, just like they defended harder, another legend!
Reality is that the ASG is an exhibition game, just like a preseason game, and I don’t see no one asking the players, the stars at least to play with intensity!
It’s a fun game not a playoff game, just chill and enjoy the show!
The game is a lay up line these days. Guys definitely took more pride in the past. I can’t for the life of me think while the players get the blame. Anyone? Maybe it’s the fans fault, lols.
Would be better to just replace it with something non-contact.
Something like the goran dragic fairwell game where they played soccer for a quarter all of a sudden
I think the players need to be motivated.
You either do;
East v West and winner gets finals home court advantage
Or;
USA v World – 4 quarters.
Or;
Browns, Whites, Blacks – Round Robin. That’ll get them playing too hard tho.
The all star game should NOT determine finals home court advantage, that is a top 1 worse ideas ever
All anyone cares about is content. Skip the game and just make the players do tok tok challenges. Who can eat the most diapers or whatever they do. Why not get rid of basketball all together. Just plug our brains into a modem and get it over with
Word of the day: Anemoia
Put me in the game, I will play for real and might even injure some players
KD should just concentrate on bringing a better product. Blaming fans for growing up is asinine and unproductive. The media is about the negative narrative. Cause that is what social media is.
I don’t think anyone expects a playoff type competition. Just come to play. The game will take care of it self.
The all star game is a fan event. It’s a celebration of the game. A celebration of its best players that year. Celebration of the new blood coming in. The future stars. And of the history of the game. Try and enjoy it.
Kyrie had his injury March 3, 2025. He had the surgery on March 26, 2025. Takes a year or more to get back to playing. Another month or two to get in game shape. Mavs are playing for a lottery pick. So why would they want Kyrie to play. He should get ready for next year and be ready then ……..
I’m Dallas I trade Kyrie at the draft. Go all in on Cooper now.