2x Champion Is All In On Proposed 1-On-1 All-Star Event

The recently passed NBA All-Star event received mixed reactions from fans and media members alike. The new format introduced was vastly different from any All-Star games in the past. Unlike a full game with two teams, it was split into four teams featured in a mini-tournament. While the design added something new, it wasn’t enough to sway some of the NBA’s biggest All-Star game critics. How much longer the league continues to experiment with the event is uncertain. However, considerable steam is amping up for a new All-Star event that even the players, most notably superstars, sound excited and willing to participate in. One of those superstars is Kevin Durant, who appears to have bought into the All-Star event idea.

2x Champion Is All In On Proposed 1-On-1 All-Star Event

Kevin Durant Is Already Bought In On the NBA’s Popular All-Star Event Idea, the 1-on-1 Tournament

A 1-v-1 tournament consisting of the league’s most talented and dynamic players is one of the best ideas the NBA has stirring right now. It’s becoming increasingly popular because players like Durant are speaking out about it. However, while a handful of players appear keen on the 1-on-1 tournament style, James Harden is another; it has also been reported that many of the league’s general managers feel quite differently. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has apparently taken flack from some GMs for his pull toward the tournament-style format to help viewership.

The in-season NBA Cup tournament has turned out to be relatively successful, but if these GMs have any say, it’s going too far. More from the players, though, namely KD, who stated on The Draymond Green Show [48:50 mark] that he would be a full participant in a 1-on-1 event and even shouted out some players he could match up against, win or lose.

“Would I play? Yeah, I’d play. It’d be some good work too. You can say I can win this, but I can also lose too. I done played ones with Jayson Tatum, and he got cooking… I would say [Tatum], Kyrie [Irving], for the simple fact that I played against them… Like a Joel [Embiid], he can get a bucket from the wing [when healthy]. Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], I mean Shai be tough in the ones, especially if we get a five second clock.”

NBA Trying To Match NHL

Last week, one of the loudest controversies was how well the NHL’s All-Star game replacement, the Four Nations Cup, did in hype, excitement, and overall viewership. On ESPN’s First Take, a debate occurred between Stephen A. Smith, Brian Windhorst, and others with former NHLer P.K. Subban. The sessions were heated as Subban again and again made his case for why the NHL is superior to the NBA when it comes to competitiveness and players trying. Granted, Subban is well aware of the vast differences between both sports. However, that did not stop him from uplifting the competitive nature shown in the Four Nations Cup compared to the NBA’s All-Star product.

The NHL hit a massive home run with their new idea. As for the NBA, it didn’t pan out the same way for them. Do they build on their four-team tournament idea? Do they restructure all over again? Whether with a mini-tournament or a full 48-minute game, the NBA has to do better. Or rather, the players have to do better. At the end of the day, it falls on the participants, not the organizers. Perhaps a 1-on-1 tournament can provide a jolt that is much needed.