Kevin Durant Rips New NBA All-Star Game Format: ‘I Hate It’

Kevin Durant has been vocal about his dislike for the NBA All-Star Game’s new format, following the league’s announcement of significant changes to its midseason showcase. The Brooklyn Nets star didn’t hold back his feelings, calling the new format “terrible” and expressing his preference for the traditional East vs. West matchup.

“I hate it; I absolutely hate it,” Durant said Tuesday, minutes after the NBA unveiled the revamped All-Star Game structure for this season. The new format has stirred controversy among several top players, with Durant’s candid reaction leading the charge. The 2024 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled to take place on February 16 at the Golden State Warriors’ home arena, but this year’s event will look dramatically different.

The New Format: What’s Changing?

This season, the NBA has introduced a four-team, three-game, one-night tournament. The teams will consist of three squads of eight All-Stars, with the fourth team made up of the winners of the Rising Stars challenge. This competition will include first- and second-year players, bringing them into the mix. All games will be played to 40 points, a significant departure from the typical structure of the All-Star Game.

This change comes after the All-Star Game saw record-breaking scoring in the 2023 event, where the teams combined for an eye-popping 397 points, with the final score standing at 211-186. A total of 289 shots were attempted, 94% of which were either from beyond the 3-point line or inside the paint. Despite the high-scoring spectacle, there has been growing concern over the lack of competitiveness and intensity, which has led the league to implement the new format.

Durant’s Frustration: Why He Dislikes the Change

Durant didn’t hold back in expressing his discontent. “Terrible — All-Star Game format changing, all the formats — terrible in my opinion,” he said, calling for a return to the traditional East-West format. According to Durant, this classic setup was a staple that allowed fans to see the best players from each conference face off in a true exhibition of talent.

“We should just go back to East-West. Just play a game,” Durant stated firmly. His criticism highlights a wider sentiment among players who feel that the league’s push for change may be unnecessary. Durant’s frustration also stems from the desire for a more authentic, competitive environment during the All-Star Game, something he believes was lost in the recent years of high-scoring, no-defense affairs.

Adam Silver’s Vision for a More Competitive All-Star Weekend

The change to the NBA All-Star Game format aligns with NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s long-term goal to make the event more competitive. The rising concerns about player effort and the lack of meaningful play during All-Star festivities have led Silver to push for modifications. Last season’s game saw a record-setting number of points, but many viewers and critics felt the game lacked the intensity of an actual NBA contest.

Silver’s vision aims to bring back the flare of the event while keeping the tradition intact. “I think we’ve been trying to bring that flare back somehow with All-Star Weekend, I think we just keep the tradition,” Durant acknowledged. However, he also voiced his skepticism about the new format, noting that he might be proven wrong once the changes are implemented. “We’ll see how this one works. You never know, I might be wrong, I’m just another guy with an opinion, but we’ll see how it works,” Durant added.

Player Reactions: Mixed Feelings from Other Stars

While Durant’s strong stance on the new format has grabbed headlines, other NBA stars have shared their thoughts, with a few offering a more optimistic outlook.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder seemed to see the positive potential in the change, emphasizing that the ultimate success of the new format depends on player commitment. “At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to whether the players want to go at it, and I would love to see that,” he said. Gilgeous-Alexander’s hopeful attitude suggests that the revamped format could lead to a more competitive and entertaining All-Star Game, provided players bring their best effort.

Meanwhile, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant also weighed in, and his thoughts echoed Durant’s frustration. “Same thing KD said,” Morant stated when asked about the changes. Morant’s agreement with Durant indicates that a significant portion of players may not be on board with the new structure, preferring the simplicity of the traditional format.

Will the New Format Succeed?

Despite the vocal criticism from Durant and other stars, the NBA’s new All-Star Game format remains a bold experiment aimed at reinvigorating the event. Whether or not the changes will achieve the desired results remains to be seen. The league’s hope is that by introducing a more competitive element, the All-Star Game will feel more like an actual basketball contest rather than a laid-back exhibition of scoring.

The NBA’s efforts to reshape the All-Star Game may stem from the desire to keep the event fresh and exciting for fans. The record-breaking scores and the lack of intensity in recent games have raised questions about how to make the event feel more competitive while still maintaining its appeal. The new format will certainly be a topic of conversation leading up to February 16, and only time will tell if it becomes a beloved tradition or another failed experiment.

Conclusion: A Game of Opinions

The debate over the NBA All-Star Game’s new format is a reminder of the tension between tradition and innovation. While some, like Kevin Durant, long for the simplicity and competitiveness of the East vs. West game, others, like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are hopeful that the changes will lead to a more exciting spectacle. As the 2024 All-Star Weekend approaches, the league will continue to evaluate the impact of the new format, and it will be fascinating to see whether it sparks a new era for the event or ends up as another fleeting experiment in NBA history.