Kevin Durant was on the court in Phoenix, warming up for extra tip-off for the NBA’s Christmas Day finals at 8:30 p.m., when Stephen Curry And LeBron James The fourth thriller was putting the finishing touches on the best day of the NBA season so far. Yet somehow Durant knew exactly how important this day was to the league.
“Today was a step in the right direction to get people excited about the game of basketball again,” Durant told ESPN during a wide-ranging interview. The Phoenix Suns To 110-100 win On top of Denver Nuggets. “Hopefully it’s not just because it’s Christmas. Hopefully they continue to invest in the game, every player, every team for the rest of the season and not just the playoffs or The finals.
“I want to see the people, the viewers. I want to see it brought back. The league isn’t going anywhere, but we’re in trouble when it comes down to it.”
The NBA has been the subject of particularly negative conversation for much of this season, with discussions about its style of play, How many 3-pointers are teams taking?Missing stars games or only Failed to make any kind of effort on All-Star weekendand countless other issues. But the Christmas Day games offered a reminder of just how good the game can still be. Four of the five games came down to the final minute, and the average margin was just five points, the lowest in NBA history for a Christmas with at least five games.
Each game had a thrilling finish, featuring young stars like San Antonio. Victor Vembanayama (42 points, 18 rebounds) of Minnesota Anthony Edwards (26 points) and Philadelphia Tyrese Maxey (33 points, 12 assists) excelling with Durant’s old guard (27 points) Kerry Irving (39 points), Curry (38 points) and James (31 points).
The biggest plays were made by role players such as the Lakers. Austin Reeveswhich capped Curry’s heroics with a game-winning layup past Andrew Wigginsand of New York Josh HartWhose rebounding and defense sealed it. Knicks win at Wembanyama And an inspired group of Spurs.
And it seemed like everyone knew how important the league was.
“I love the NFL, but Christmas is our day,” James told ABC’s Lisa Salters. Lakers win over Warriors. He even turned and looked directly at the camera to emphasize his point.
James is well aware that the NFL has encroached on NBA territory in recent years. This year the NFL put two marquee games — and a halftime show featuring Beyoncé — on Netflix against the NBA’s slate. James rose up determined to take back the territory.
“Now it’s really pointless not to have unis on Christmas Day!” James Posted on X.. “It was a great feeling to walk into the locker room and see them.”
Over the summer, James did a joint interview with Curry and Durant during his epic Olympic run in France that was released by NBA Entertainment ahead of the Christmas Day slate. It was restless and nostalgic. Retirement was openly discussed. So were legacies. The message was clear: fans should enjoy these guys while they can because they won’t be around much longer.
However, the takeaway was tough: What is the NBA going to do once he’s gone?
James and Curry continued to lean into that message again Wednesday night after their latest fight.
“It’s always a blast. The competitive history, the spirit, the greatness of it. It just allows me to appreciate all that we’ve been through and the back and forth battles,” Curry said. “In 2024, they’re still doing it and somehow the games are so electric and kind of a must-see TV situation. I love it. … That’s why it’s worthless to lose because it’s those moments. which matter more.”
James was even more direct. When ESPN’s Dave McManaman was asked what is still good about the NBA today, he simply said, “Lebron and Steph”
As Durant walked off the field in Phoenix at 11 p.m., he struck a different tone. The 36-year-old Docter, who came into the league 17 years ago on a Seattle team that no longer exists, said he doesn’t like to think of himself and Curry and James as the defining players of his era because it could be a future Hall of Famer. Ignores. of Famers James Harden And Russell Westbrookwith whom he went to his first NBA Finals in 2012. Oklahoma City Thunder. That team never returned to the Finals (and Harden was traded to Houston before the following season), but the Thunder won 219 games over the next four years before Durant left for Golden State.
“I think fans just want free agency and drama and just care about the playoffs and the Finals and what that means for somebody’s legacy,” he said. “Then they program to just think about it, which makes them not want to care about the regular season.”
But he doesn’t blame them, either, in a disjointed media environment where the NBA is competing head-to-head not only against other TV shows, but also against streaming networks and social media platforms.
“So to use the January night game — Charlotte Hornets against Atlanta Hawks Or against the Phoenix Suns Golden State Warriorsit’s not on national TV? You can just follow the stats,” Durant said.
“My point is, you can’t look at a product and think people are going to value that product the way some shows do. We’re all supposed to be on the same team. But it feels like Everyone is clashing right now, trying to get everyone’s attention, instead of everyone moving the game in the right direction.”
At least for one day, the NBA took a step in the right direction. The games were great. The players were active. Not just the three superstars who have driven the league for two decades, but the young players who will soon give it up.
If what happened on Christmas Eve is anything to go by, Durant will be among those looking for him, hoping to change the conversation around the league as the calendar turns to 2025. will
“I take it seriously, and I’m closed to why people don’t want to see us play anymore or why they don’t like the 3-point line or what the real problem is,” he said. “I’m trying to think about it and understand it. I love this game. I want it to continue.”