The NBA’s new All-Star Game format has sparked criticism from some of the league’s biggest names, including Kevin Durant.
The revamped format introduces a one-night, four-team tournament.
Three of the teams will consist of eight All-Stars each, while the fourth will be comprised of the winners of the Rising Stars challenge, which features first and second-year players.
In all games, the first team to score 40 points will be declared the winner.
“I hate it, I absolutely hate it,” Durant stated on Tuesday.
“Terrible – All-Star Game format changing, all the formats – terrible in my opinion. We should just go back to East-West. Just play a game.”
The All-Star Game is scheduled for February 16 at the Golden State Warriors’ home arena, with the Rising Stars challenge taking place two days earlier on February 14.
Kevin Durant says he hates the new NBA All-Star format
“I hate it. Absolutely hate it. Terrible….We should just go back to East-West.” 😳
(🎥 @GeraldBourguet )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 17, 2024
The NBA’s decision to overhaul the format follows years of criticism about the lack of competitiveness during the event.
Last season’s game in Indianapolis saw a record-breaking 397 combined points, with Team LeBron defeating Team Giannis 211-186.
Not everyone is opposed to the new approach. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shared a more optimistic viewpoint, pointing out the well-known issue of player effort during the All-Star Game.
“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. “Love to be a part of that, for sure, and hopefully it happens.”
Meanwhile, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant seemed to align himself with Durant’s stance when asked for his opinion on Wednesday.
“Same thing KD said,” Morant remarked.
