The NBA All-Star Game has long been a subject of criticism for its lack of defensive intensity and competitive spirit. Year after year, fans and pundits lament the transformation of the mid-season classic into a glorified layup line and three-point contest. However, the discourse took a sharp and controversial turn recently when Kevin Durant decided to shift the spotlight away from himself and his peers and onto the league’s international superstars.

In a recent interview, Durant pushed back against the narrative that the “Old Heads”—specifically referring to veteran American stars like himself and LeBron James—are responsible for the lackluster product. Instead, he pointed the finger at the European contingent, specifically Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.

“You should ask the Europeans… if they going to compete,” Durant stated. “We look at Luka and Nikola Jokic… do they care about the game at all?”

Durant’s comments were not just about basketball; they touched on a sensitive nerve regarding race and perception in the NBA. He argued that black American players are often unfairly labeled as “lazy” or “undeserving” of their massive contracts when they coast during All-Star Weekend, while international players get a pass for the exact same behavior.

The “Old Heads” vs. The World

Durant’s argument is that the media has a double standard. When the NHL holds a competitive international tournament, the narrative is about national pride. But when the NBA All-Star Game flops, the narrative shifts to character judgments about American stars.

“Don’t pinpoint us and use it as an excuse to call us lazy when everybody treats the game the same way,” Durant urged.

However, his attempt to deflect blame was met with swift resistance from former players and analysts, most notably Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

Haslem’s Rebuttal: The Standard is the Standard

Udonis Haslem, known for his no-nonsense approach and role as the ultimate heat culture enforcer, wasn’t buying Durant’s “whataboutism.” His counter-argument was simple: we don’t watch Luka and Jokic for their defense in the regular season, so why would we expect it in the All-Star Game?

“We don’t look at Luka and Jokic for defense… we look at them for anything but that,” Haslem explained.

Haslem’s point is that the expectation of two-way greatness has always fallen on the shoulders of the league’s athletic, American wings—players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and yes, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. These are the players who set the tone. Haslem reminisced about the days when Kobe Bryant would pick up full court in an All-Star Game, challenging LeBron and forcing the level of competition to rise.

“You guys were the two marquee players,” the video commentary notes, referring to LeBron and KD post-Kobe. “Many thought that you guys should have been the ones… that set the tone.”

By attempting to shift the blame to players like Jokic—who relies on teammates like Aaron Gordon to cover his defensive deficiencies even in games that count—Durant is ignoring the hierarchy of responsibility. When you are the standard-bearer for the league, you don’t get to hide behind the guys who play a different style.

Stephen A. Smith: “Flagrant Lack of Effort”

Stephen A. Smith also weighed in, acknowledging that while Durant isn’t “totally wrong” about the racial undertones of some criticism, he is “incomplete” in his assessment.

Smith argued that the marquee stars take the heat because they are the marquee stars. “When you’re the standard, it compels others to have to live up to a standard,” Smith said.

He went further, calling the recent All-Star performances an “insult to the game.” The issue isn’t that players aren’t drawing charges or diving for loose balls; it’s the “flagrant lack of effort” that sees players jogging up and down the court, putting up zero resistance, and turning the game into a farce.

Smith also touched on the entitlement aspect, mentioning discussions about players wanting more money to compete in the All-Star Game despite already signing contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. “You can’t run up and down the court a little bit?” Smith asked incredulously. “That’s what we’re saying.”

Conclusion: The Future of the All-Star Game

The debate sparked by Durant highlights a fundamental disconnect in the modern NBA. The players view the All-Star Game as a well-earned break, a time to relax and avoid injury. The fans and the league view it as a showcase of the best talent in the world.

While Durant may be right that Luka and Jokic are “lollygagging” just as much as anyone else, his attempt to use them as a shield misses the point. As long as the NBA is driven by the star power of its American icons, those icons will be the ones held accountable for the product on the floor. Whether it’s Victor Wembanyama promising to compete or the league changing the format again, something has to give. Until then, the blame game will likely remain the most competitive part of All-Star Weekend.