Will Durant be abandoned by the times? This question sounds exaggerated, but in this year's NBA All-Star voting, it has become the focus of many discussions. Despite averaging 27.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, Durant remains one of the most threatening scorers in the league. However, with the Suns' current record barely ranking 12th in the West, he is at a disadvantage in the competitive All-Star starting lineup race.
On the other hand, his competitors are more energetic than ever: James breaks the historical scoring record, rookie Wembanyama comes strong, and even Curry, who has been quiet for a while, picks up his past glory. This seems to make people think that this four-time scoring champion and two-time NBA champion may really be at a "fateful" moment in his career.
Let's start with James. At 38 years old, he directly pokes a big hole in the saying "one generation is not as good as the next." Not only did he surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time regular-season scoring champion, but he also averages 23.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game—this would have made a player in their early thirties be hailed as the "future leader of the league."
More importantly, James' influence on the court remains unchanged, and he steadily leads the Lakers to maintain their position in the top six in the West.
If the All-Star starting lineup is a "strength + popularity" double competition, then James has almost no weaknesses. He is not just a scoring machine but also a superstar with his own aura. This appeal is something that most players chase their whole lives and can never catch up to. In contrast, Durant's problem is not a lack of personal ability, but he does seem to fall short in terms of leadership influence. The Suns' record of 17 wins and 19 losses is a realistic proof, especially when facing strong teams, they always seem to lack toughness. This makes people wonder if the title of "team leader" is somewhat勉强placed on Durant.
Let's take another look at the "disruptor"—Wembanyama. This highly anticipated No. 1 draft pick shows the world that he is an exception that breaks conventions. Averaging 25.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4 blocks, he directly demonstrates his potential to "ascend to godhood" on the NBA court. Standing nearly 2.24 meters tall, he can shoot and dribble like a guard from the outside, and his interior defense has almost no blind spots.
It should be noted that Durant averaged only 20.3 points in his rookie season, with rebounds and defense not at the level of Wembanyama. In terms of ability, Wembanyama has already become the center of the Spurs' revival, which is why he is not only impressive on the court but also popular among fans in the All-Star voting.
Young players always have a natural advantage, which is the attraction of "the unknown" and "potential." As for Durant, he has gradually transformed from a young dream chaser into a challenged target. This role change always feels a bit melancholic.
Durant's current dilemma, at its core, is a story of "a single palm cannot make a sound." On the court, he is still the unstoppable one-on-one master, and almost no one in the league can truly limit his scoring ability. But games are never a solo act; team fighting power is the key to victory. However, the Suns, where Durant plays, recently seem like a leaking balloon that can't get pumped up no matter what.
Even worse, Durant even went down to the court to recruit players in person to enhance his combat effectiveness—his attempt to "reunite" with James Harden was ultimately dissuaded by the team's salary space and the management's "slow response." This episode not only shows Durant's desire but also exposes the Suns' incompetence. To put it bluntly, he wants to rely on the team to enhance his competitiveness, but the team fails him at a critical moment. In such an environment, even if Durant is excellent, he will eventually appear helpless and alone.
Besides James and Wembanyama, don't forget there is a large group of All-Star hot candidates who have pushed Durant out of the way.
For example, Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets, with his near-triple-double performance of 25.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game, makes the term "team brain" more vivid. Even more exaggeratedly, Jokic is aiming for a three-peat of MVPs, and it's not an exaggeration to say he's the big boss of the new era.
There's also Stephen Curry, who just took a low profile due to injury, but upon his return, he announced with fiery form, "I'm still the Curry you know." He averages 30.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, using precise three-point shots to make opponents desperate. As a teammate who once created the Warriors' glory together, Curry's rise seems to make Durant's current situation even more awkward—one is being discussed for the importance of being an All-Star starter with explosive data, while the other seems somewhat powerless in the struggle.
So, is Durant really being abandoned by the times? I think this statement is a bit too absolute. Durant is still a top player, and his offensive firepower and efficiency would make him an ace weapon on any team. However, the cruelty of competitive sports lies in the fact that immediate results are what everyone cares about. A team with poor records naturally won't make fans overly fond. All-Star voting is a "surface job," focusing on data, star power, and topicality, and what Durant has recently lacked is precisely this "spectacle."
However, more importantly, the All-Star event itself has an entertainment nature and cannot completely determine the significance of a player's career.
Durant's value on the court has actually gone beyond the judgment range of these votes, which are akin to "fan circle behavior." The problems with the Suns, whether it's a slump in performance or failure to strengthen the team, are not things that Durant alone should be held responsible for.
Rather than saying Durant is moving away from the All-Stars, it might be better to say this is a reflection of the increasingly fierce competition in the entire NBA. From James to Wembanyama, and then to Curry and Jokic, every opponent is exerting themselves. Durant, instead of being repeatedly "kidnapped" by this symbolic honor, should focus on places where he can truly prove himself, such as the upcoming season and playoffs.
The All-Star is a good show, but Durant's life drama is far from over.