Michael C. WrightFeb 12, 2026, 12:42 AM ETCloseJoined ESPN in 2010 Previously covered Bears for ESPN.com Played college football at West Texas A&MFollow on XMultiple Authors
“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” the Houston Rockets star said, laughing. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven’t questioned what they’ve been doing. But we’re going to question the old heads, and the Americans.
Commissioner Adam Silver thinks the format will tap into national pride for the players involved, but Durant preferred to take a wait-and-see approach.
For years, the U.S.-vs.-World concept has been discussed as a potential way to spark renewed interest in the All-Star Game. Durant seemed unsure the new format would work.
Durant was later told that San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama intends to put forth maximum effort at the All-Star Game.
“He said that last year too,” Durant continued. “They said it was the worst All-Star Game that people watched. So we’re going to see. Who knows what’s going to happen? This format might change the game, but who knows? We’ll see.”
Michael C. WrightFeb 12, 2026, 12:42 AM ETCloseJoined ESPN in 2010 Previously covered Bears for ESPN.com Played college football at West Texas A&MFollow on XMultiple Authors
CloseJoined ESPN in 2010 Previously covered Bears for ESPN.com Played college football at West Texas A&MFollow on X
Were KD’s comments on international All-Stars justified? (1:41)Jay Williams and Alan Hahn break down Kevin Durant’s comments about international players’ effort in the All-Star Game. (1:41)