Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant did not hold back when asked about the NBA's latest changes to the 2025 All-Star Game format.

“I hate it. I absolutely hate it. It is terrible,” Durant said in an interview with Suns beat writer Gerald Bourguet. “The All-Star game – format is changing – all the formats are terrible in my opinion. We should just go back to the East-West format; let's just play a game.”

I asked Kevin Durant what he thought about the new format for the NBA All-Star Game: “I hate it. Absolutely hate it. Terrible….We should just go back to East-West.” pic.twitter.com/T7owR5aJY7

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 17, 2024

Durant’s comments come amid ongoing criticism of the All-Star Game, which many fans and players feel has devolved into a glorified pick-up game with little effort or competitive edge. The league has experimented with various formats in recent years to restore excitement to the annual showcase, including team captains drafting rosters and implementing target scores in the final quarter.

However, Durant believes the solution lies in tradition. “I think we've been trying to bring back that flair somehow with All-Star Weekend, so that's why they're changing it up. But, I think we just keep it traditional,” he said.

Despite his criticism, Durant acknowledged the possibility that the new format could work. “We’ll see how this thing works – we never know. I might be wrong, and I'm just another guy with an opinion.”

The NBA released the full details on the revised format for 2025, as the league’s continued experimentation highlights its attempt to revitalize the All-Star Game’s appeal. As one of the league’s most prominent voices, Durant’s critique could spark further debate on how to balance tradition with innovation.