Kevin Durant is playing in the All-Star Game for the 13th time in his career after earning his 16th selection, which as we just covered is the fourth-most in NBA history. And in true Kevin Durant fashion, he has a lot to say about the current discourse and constant tinkering around the format of the NBA All-Star Game. Here’s Durant speaking to reporters yesterday, courtesy of The Athletic’s Eric Nehm:
“I just feel like fans and media need something to complain about and the All-Star Game don’t make them feel like it made ’em feel back when they was kids, so they need something to complain about. Like I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, to be honest. The All-Star Game, the All-Star weekend, it’s here to celebrate the game of basketball. It’s people still coming to celebrate the game of basketball, they’re coming to watch. People at home complaining about the game and the intensity of it, I don’t think we’ll ever get past that.
“But to see everybody still here, showing up, doing their jobs, pushing the game forward through this weekend. You go around the city, there’s so much energy in the city. So many past greats. Look at (DeMarcus Cousins) in here in the front row, representing the game of basketball. I just think it’s way bigger than that this weekend. We can talk about who plays harder, the US team vs. the — all that stuff don’t matter. I just really feel like this is a great weekend and it brings so many people together and helps push the game forward.”