For years, the NBA has wrestled with how to bring back the spark of All-Star Weekend. Format tweaks, shorter clocks, even experimenting with the three-point contest — none of it has truly restored the magic of the past. The dunk contest, once a stage for legends, now struggles to draw the game’s biggest names. And despite living in an era of generational shooters, fans rarely see direct duels like Stephen Curry trading buckets with Damian Lillard.
On The Draymond Green Show podcast, Draymond and Baron Davis tossed out a new idea: a 1-on-1 tournament with a $1 million prize. Their debate quickly turned into something more when one of the league’s purest scorers, Kevin Durant, didn’t hesitate to sign on.
“I’ll play,” Durant said without flinching. “I just need to know what type of ones we’d be playing. If it’s a five-second shot clock, play to 11, that changes everything. I ran it once with Jayson Tatum — he started cooking, hitting over every contest. JT would be tough, Kyrie too. Joel can score from the wing, Shai’s a problem if you cap it at three or four dribbles. I’d be in that mix too.”
What It Could Mean for All-Star Weekend
Durant’s short list of worthy opponents was telling. He named Tatum, Kyrie, Embiid, and Shai — but not LeBron, Curry, Jokic, or Doncic. Imagine the matchups: skill versus size, speed versus power. The drama of such a format could easily push All-Star viewership to heights unseen in years.
But there’s still the lingering question: would other stars actually risk it? LeBron and Giannis thrive in transition, but a half-court, no-help, high-stakes duel is another animal entirely. Even KD admitted the format rules matter more than the prize itself.
A Look Back to the Past
This wouldn’t be the league’s first experiment. In 1992, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius Erving squared off in a one-on-one exhibition. The matchup didn’t meet expectations — both were past their prime — but it still pulled attention simply because of who they were. Kareem, always ahead of his time, argued back then that this could become a global event, a challenge that included international stars.
That vision feels even sharper today, when every MVP since 2018 has been an international player. A duel like Durant vs. Doncic would offer not only basketball fireworks but also a clash of styles, eras, and even national pride.
The Million-Dollar Question
Money is no longer the real motivator. Most of today’s superstars already sit atop fortunes well beyond the prize pool. Pride, reputation, and legacy — those are the currencies that matter here. Would $1 million actually be enough to lure the brightest names? Or would the fear of losing on such a stage keep them away?
Spencer Dinwiddie may have summed it up best: “They’re going to say they’re better than you. That’s why guys won’t step in.”
And yet, if Durant follows through, the allure might be too strong for others to ignore.
