Veteran Houston Rockets player Kevin Durant has expressed skepticism about the widely held belief that past NBA All-Star Games, particularly during the 1990s and 2000s, were played with greater intensity than today’s contests. Durant voiced his perspective during the All-Star Media Day, disputing the narrative that older generations often praise regarding the competitiveness of previous All-Star events. This year’s NBA All-Star Game is being held under a new USA vs. World format, designed to increase engagement and challenge previous editions that faced criticism for lack of competitiveness.
Durant highlighted his observations by stating,
“I’ve been watching All-Star games and the intensity the older generation has been talking about. I don’t know if I’ve seen it.”
Explanation of New Format and Team Lineups in 2026 All-Star Event
The restructured NBA All-Star event will feature three teams—Team World, USA Stars, and USA Stripes—each composed of eight players competing in a round-robin tournament, rather than the traditional East vs. West matchup. Kevin Durant will represent the USA Stripes team alongside fellow stars such as Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers, Lakers All-Star LeBron James, and New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson. Other notable members of the USA Stripes squad include Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell. Toronto Raptors’ Brandon Ingram and San Antonio Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox will join as replacements for injured Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Team World will be represented by Lakers All-Star Luka Dončić, Denver Nuggets two-time MVP Nikola Jokić, and first-time All-Star Jamal Murray. The roster also includes Rockets’ Alperen Şengün, Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns, Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, Portland Blazers’ newcomer Deni Avdija, and Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam.
Kawhi Leonard Anticipates a Competitive All-Star Game Atmosphere
Clippers veteran Kawhi Leonard has expressed optimism about the level of competition in the current All-Star Game format. Leonard emphasized that the intensity will largely depend on the effort from the starters once they take the court. Speaking with NBA insider Chris Haynes before the event, Leonard remarked,
“It’s going to start with the starters, whoever gets out there first. For me, personally, we should just go back to the way it was, and if guys are going to play hard, they’ll play hard. I think it’ll be competitive this year. I don’t know how the format is. But hopefully, guys are out there competing. They usually do, but it’s also an All-Star game.”
Leonard’s comments suggest that while the structure of the All-Star Game has shifted, the drive to compete may ultimately depend on individual player motivation rather than the format itself. He will be competing alongside Durant on the USA Stripes team, which includes several of the league’s prominent stars.
Implications for NBA All-Star Game Intensity and Future Outlook
The questioning of whether past All-Star Games were genuinely more intense, as raised by Kevin Durant, adds a new dimension to discussions about the event’s ongoing evolution. With the NBA adopting the USA vs. World format to reignite player competitiveness and fan interest, the involvement of key figures like Durant and Leonard will be critical in demonstrating the format’s effectiveness. The diverse and talented rosters across the three teams promise an engaging competition.
If players respond by embracing the new structure with determination, the All-Star Game could regain excitement that has dipped in recent years. Observers and fans alike will be watching closely to see if this format change can deliver on its promise of heightened competitiveness and entertainment for future seasons.
"I've been watching All-Star games and the intensity the older generation been talking about. I don't know if I've seen it."
— Kevin Durant 🗣️pic.twitter.com/d4Y66J7yfw
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026
Caught up with Clippers star Kawhi Leonard in LA in advance of the All-Star game on Sunday. Touched on a multitude of topics including if guys will play hard. pic.twitter.com/ppgZi4L5uU
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 14, 2026
