Will USA vs. World spark competitive All-Star Game? Victor Wembanyama thinks so

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Everyone wants the same thing: A competitive All-Star Game.

Fans want it. Adam Silver desperately wants it (remember the eye roll while handing out the trophy a year ago?) Media (and media partners) want it.

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Will a new USA vs. World format finally give everyone what they want?

While the timing of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game falling during the intense international competition at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics was fortuitous, the idea of a USA vs. World format for the All-Star Game has been around for years.

The hope is that playing for their countries might spark a competitive fire under otherwise apathetic players at the All-Star Game. It was something the NHL got last year with its Four Nations Face-Off, and the NBA was envious.

When the idea of a USA vs. World game was floated after last year’s defense-free All-Star Game, it was the international players who seemed more into the idea.

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That remains the case.

“I’m never stepping onto the court to lose, you know, or not caring,” said the Spurs Victor Wembanyama, who was voted a World starter by the fans. “Just like at home, I’m never stepping into a board game, not caring or thinking I’m gonna lose or I’m thinking it’s okay to lose.

“So I’ll be out there, might as well win.”

The old heads of the NBA are not on the same page. Told of what Wembanyama said, USA All-Star Kevin Durant’s response was cynical and telling.

“We’ll see…

“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” Durant said with a laugh to reporters Wednesday night. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven’t questioned what they’ve been doing. But we’re going to question the old heads, and the Americans.

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“But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don’t care about the game at all. These dudes be laying on the floor. They’re shooting from half court. But you’ve got to worry about the old heads playing hard? I can read between the lines, bro. It’s just an overall topic that everybody’s been talking about.”