Rockets’ Kevin Durant Challenges World Team’s Effort Ahead of All-Star Weekend
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HOUSTON — Kevin Durant says concerns about effort in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game should be aimed at the international roster, not the league’s veteran U.S. stars.
Speaking Wednesday, the Houston Rockets forward joked that he and fellow “old heads” LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard have been tagged as potential culprits if the annual exhibition turns lackluster. Durant quickly shifted the focus.
“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” he said with a laugh, referencing past All-Star appearances by Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić. “Look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? But you’ve got to worry about the old heads playing hard?”
Durant criticized the style of play he has seen from several international players during previous editions, noting, “These dudes be laying on the floor. They’re shooting from half court. But now we’re questioning the Americans?”
New format puts national pride on the line
The league will unveil a three-team format in Inglewood, California, featuring the United States, the World and a third squad in a round-robin schedule. Commissioner Adam Silver has said he expects national pride to boost intensity after several years of fan complaints about the game’s tempo.
Durant remains skeptical. “I can read between the lines,” he said. “It’s just an overall topic everybody’s been talking about.”
Asked about rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama’s pledge to “go all out,” Durant offered a brief response: “We’ll see. He said that last year, too.”
The 14-time All-Star closed by saying on-court actions will settle any debate. “Talk is easy. Proving it on the floor is something else entirely.”
Source: Hoops Wire
