NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed that the plans for the 2026 All-Star Game include a new World vs. USA format.
It is yet another move by the league to make the All-Star Game more appealing. Well, the decision by Silver brought a strong reaction from Stephen A. Smith.
"If this doesn't work [USA vs. World], I think you're going to see the NBA do away with All-Star weekend. And this era of players will forever be stained for the rest of their lives because ASW was banished because of a lack of effort," Smith said on Thursday during an episode of First Take.
After that, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant quoted a post from Legion Hoops that had Smith's comments with just one word: "Dramatic."
On Friday, Smith came to First Take and clapped back at Durant with a fiery response.
"It has been egregious. ... The fans have been turned off. Legends of the game have been turned off. ... You can't come on the basketball court and give less effort than you would give in a damn workout in the summer. You can't do that to people."
.@stephenasmith responds to Kevin Durant calling his NBA All-Star Game comments "dramatic." 👀
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 6, 2025
"It has been egregious. ... The fans have been turned off. Legends of the game have been turned off. ... You can't come on the basketball court and give less effort than you would… pic.twitter.com/r3O7q75gPY
The effort in the All-Star Game has been a topic of conversation for some time, and the last few years have only increased that debate.
Now, Silver is doing whatever he can to save face with the game, although Smith isn't sure if it will work.
So, with this debate swirling, Smith and Durant might have ignited some beef with each other, which is nothing new for Smith.
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