Every year, the NBA's All-Star Game is heavily criticized by fans. Over the past few decades, the All-Star Game has transformed from a semi-competitive game between two conferences to a glorified shootaround between two teams. There have been some good All-Star Games, but they have been few and far between. Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant blamed Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic for their lackadaisical approach to the All-Star Game.
"You have to ask the European and world teams if they're going to compete," Durant said earlier. "If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic right now, let's go back and see what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven't questioned what they're doing. But we're going to question the old heads and the Americans."
This quote has generated considerable discussion: it is rare for a player to publicly call out his teammates, and Durant conceded defeat against two of the league's best players. Now, Doncic has responded to Durant's comments. In a recent interview with Slovenian sports website Sportsklub, the Lakers star revealed that the All-Star Game was treated loosely before he and Jokic arrived in the league.
"It was the same way when I first came to the All-Star Game, so I don't know why they picked us," Doncic said. "But I think it would be better because it's the world against the United States."
In fact, the Lakers star was right: The World vs. USA format lit a fire inside the players. Many fans praised the efforts of Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama during the game. Team USA ultimately won thanks to Edwards, but most spectators were happy to have an entertaining and competitive game for once.
Doncic earned his sixth All-Star selection this season and his fifth as a starter. The Lakers star is averaging 32.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game this season. LA is in fifth place in the West with a 33-21 record before the All-Star Game.
