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Dave McMenamin
Multiple Authors
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The previous encounter between San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and a roster full of American All-Stars took place during the unforgettable gold medal matchup between France and the USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This weekend, the NBA is unveiling a novel All-Star Game format aimed at rekindling that competitive zeal by splitting participants into two teams: Americans and international players, replacing the classic East-West matchup. Wembanyama is determined to contribute to a thrilling game on Sunday.
“I intend to focus on making impactful plays, playing effectively, and sharing the ball with enthusiasm,” Wembanyama explained on Saturday, when asked how he planned to foster a competitive atmosphere. “When you share that kind of energy, it encourages others to reciprocate.”
The recent All-Star Games have fallen short of resembling true NBA basketball, with the East’s 211-186 victory in 2024 in Indianapolis being a particularly low point, especially following Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Julius “Dr. J” Irving’s pregame appeal for players to take the match seriously. Wembanyama believes this year will be a turning point.
“I have full confidence in how it will unfold,” Wembanyama stated.
but, some American stars remain skeptical.
When Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who participated in that gold medal game in Paris, was asked if he thought the All-Star Game could recreate that level of intensity, he simply replied, “No.”
Elaborating on his thoughts, the four-time All-Star playing for the younger USA Stars described, “That was the Olympics. It’s just that straightforward.”
Kevin Durant, a 16-time All-Star on the veteran USA Stripes team, expressed that the NBA All-Star Game has never measured up to its nostalgic reputation for competitiveness.
“I believe fans and the media are seeking something to critique, given that the All-Star Game doesn’t evoke the same feelings they had as children,” Durant remarked on Saturday. “It’s not as significant as they make it out to be, in my view. We’re just here to honor the game of basketball. Fans still come out to celebrate it and watch.”
“People at home complain about the game and its intensity. I doubt we’ll ever surpass those remarks, but it’s heartening to see everyone here, fulfilling their roles and advancing the game this weekend. The city is alive with energy and boasts numerous past legends.”
Durant mentioned he has spent time on YouTube exploring All-Star Games from the 1960s to the 1990s.
“I wanted to understand what the hype was about and if it truly embodied the intensity of a Game 7 as some claim it did back then… And it didn’t,” Durant reflected. “I’m not sure I’ve witnessed the intensity that the older generation speaks of.”
even so, not every player failed to find inspiration in previous All-Star Games.
While Sunday will reveal whether the new format enhances the spectacle, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, making his second All-Star appearance, expressed a desire to return to the traditional conference rivalry after the league experimented with player captain drafts, target score endings, and now USA vs. the World.
“I would love to experience East vs. West,” Cunningham expressed. “I want to partake in what the legends experienced… I’m sure it will come back eventually.”
