The NBA has a literal all-star team opposed to playing the All-Star Game this year.
Since an agreement was announced Thursday between the league and the players union to hold the game March 7 in Atlanta, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and De’Aaron Fox have all spoken out against it.
Their objections are obvious. Twenty-three games have already been postponed due to COVID-19, and players are required to submit to frequent testing and follow a regimented lifestyle to make sure they haven’t been exposed to the virus. League personnel are even being forbidden to gather outside of their homes to watch the Super Bowl. But the NBA is planning to bring players from all over the country into Atlanta for the game and possibly skills competitions as well.
Leonard offered the best explanation for why the league insists on going through with the event.
“We all know why we’re playing it,” he said Friday. “It’s money on the line; it’s an opportunity to make more money. Just putting money over health right now, pretty much. … We’re playing games now, and it’s still a pandemic, doing all these protocols and rules, so it doesn’t really surprise me.”
The NBA has a serious need for revenue after going through nearly an entire calendar year with no paying customers, apart from severely limited capacity in 11 arenas. One of those is in Atlanta, which is why the city was chosen to host this year in place of Indianapolis, which will be given the 2024 game.
NBPA president Chris Paul is among the strongest advocates for holding a game and hopes to have proceeds benefit historically Black colleges and universities and COVID-19 relief efforts, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Still, prominent players continue to express their opposition, and the league may have to rethink its position if the outcry grows strong enough. Opt-out clauses are believed to be part of the discussions, Wojnarowski reports, so no player would be forced to participate.
We want to get your opinion. Should the NBA hold an All-Star Game under the current conditions? Please leave your responses in the comments section.
Name all stars for contract and HOF purposes but don’t play.
What this guy said. “Need” is a strong word for an All-Star game in a pandemic.
Good idea
I like it
this!
Not only is there no need for an All-Star game, it is very irresponsible for the NBA to have one this season.
Make them play each other on NBA2K from the comfort of their own homes.
Only if the players are forced to wear blindfolds
Players got wind of that idea and it is chasing them away!
Nope, never have needed one. Next question.
Ok, my question is are you speaking for everyone? Some people enjoy All-Star weekend including the stars, with the obvious and rightful exception of this year. Last years format will also change how interesting the actual game will be going forward in a positive way too. To everyone that doesn’t like all-star weekend, just don’t watch it.
What the hell is everyone’s problem today? I just answered a question and get attacked. If this place is going to start acting like the baseball site, I am just going to quit coming here too. It’s not fun to be treated like that and life is too short.
I am a big boy, I can handle an argument when I attack too, but I didn’t do anything.
Just forget it, I’m done.
It seemed like a reasonably worded response to me. I have put up with far worse than that here by many others and it doesn’t bother me in the least. Maybe it’s a generational thing, I don’t know.
But after posting on the internet for the past 35 years (yes it did exist in some form that long ago, at least on Long Island) I have developed a thick skin which is practically impenetrable.
Chalk it up to the straw that broke the camel’s back. If it was just that guy today, it would be no problem at all. But every post I have made today has been attacked by someone. Plus, today was a “bad mood day” for me. Those are the days that I should avoid talking to people, even virtual people like here. But I still like talking sports.
And I am actually likely in the same generation as you. I started on the net back in 1997 or 1998 when I was in my early 20s.
One thing I have learned in my years is that it is far preferable to just walk away from people I don’t enjoy spending my time with. Maybe that’s why I have never developed a thick skin. It’s probably also why my relationships with people haven’t been great. But that’s for another day and another shrink. Have a nice night.
Well…wasn’t expecting any of that. I was just pointing out that your post said that the all-star game is not needed. But a lot of people feel differently including myself. The “to everyone that doesn’t like the all-star game” was directed to just that, everyone that doesn’t like the all-star game. I didn’t mean to attack, but rather point out that a lot of people online say that nobody wants blah blah blah, when in fact many people do.
Online text and texting is damn near impossible to read and emotionally contextualize, so I get where you’re coming from. Just remember nothing anyone says to you on this app means anything in your everyday life, unless you let it. Hope you’re good bud.
Just a bad day man. Nothing against you personally. You just happened to be the tiny teaspoon that overflowed the tub. A teaspoon isn’t much unless the tub is already completely full. In fact, I enjoy reading your comments for the most part. I even like the user name that some people give you flak for.
You try not to let stupid things get to you, but every now and then it just comes out. I’m good and hold no grudges. In fact, tomorrow it will probably be forgotten.
Appreciate it, enjoy your comments too. Glad everythings good
Just saw the rest of the thread. Ignore my first comment.
That was a dramatic response from you, hiflew. He was extremely reasonable…
fwiw, I agree with hiflew. To say we NEED the ASG in any year seems like a stretch. I also like the ASG festivities. But even if I operate from the assumption that I NEED the NBA or basketball (already a stretch), I don’t think I also need the ASG.
Not this year.
I would take a remotely done dunk contest though, 30 competitors 3 dunks each, anyone can enter (nba, NCAA, street, g league) bit bloated but I’m sure there would be some cool dunks. Then online vote that shizz
Yes. And maybe a Van Gundy 1:1 game first to 21
I think I just saw a Curry-Doncic 1:1 matchup… Steph won 57-42.
And the Warriors lost the game.
Oh yeah, the 5:5 game… that went to the team with the durable ankles of Max Kleber.
Here’s an idea (that will never happen). Make All-Star weekend a rookie and sophomore showcase. The dunk contest, the skills-challenge, the three-point contest, and the game. It would not be even remotely as exciting as having actual all-stars, but it could be fun to see some rookies/sophomores get the chance to show what they got (imagine a Hardaway/Waiters situation possibly?).
That actually could be more exciting because the young guys may make it competitive with something to prove.
The rookie game is usually pretty unwatchable.
I’m fine with it if there are no complaints from the NBPA if there is any lost revenue from it that affect the basketball related income in the off-season. You can’t demand the money it would have generated and not play it at the same time.
If CP3 gets his way, proceeds will go to colleges, so, so much for the profit motive.
Just make a first thru fourth or fifth team All Stars. Skip the game.
Have the players donate for disadvantaged youth!
The players who made it past the first round of the playoffs should be allowed to opt out. Everyone else has had plenty of time to rest already.
Alternatively, if the only argument by players is that they need a break then just give them a break in the regular season.
I agree with the suggestion to name the teams, but not hold the game. NBA 2K face offs?!?
I’d say recognize all stars And starters but make it optional to attend especially when star players like LeBron and Giannis said they aren’t feeling it that’s gonna definitely have a ripple effect on other players
CP3 should tap State Farm to insure the entire All-Star Game – the players, the fans, the staff, everyone.
A whole lotta bad things can happen to a crowded event, during these dark times.
Of course we need an ASG!!!
The day we don’t… well, then what will be the point, right?
NBA is first & foremost entertainment!
Then is a business!
Nothing better for entertainment & business to hold an ASG, right?
BTW @lovesexland… don’t listen to all the good ole folks in here, the large majority of hoops fans love the ASG by a landslide, just happens to be the very few grumpy ones that don’t tend to have the louder voice, just that my mon!
I answer to your two questions…no, wrong.
El Don, but this year is different. This is a crazy time in history. We’re lucky to have a season at all in any of the major sports, and to watch a game live is a luxury very few experience. I think all the guys traveling to one spot from all over the country for an all star game goes against everything the country’s trying to do right now. Especially in sports, the g-league bubble, trying to stay safe.
Skipping the All-Star Game this one year I don’t think will cause a ripple effect and put the game away forever. Like you say, I really enjoyed the last couple 4th quarters NBA All-Star games with this new choosing teams format.
The last ASG I gave a damm about and watched in full, was the ’87 one.
I anyone recalls, this was the Rolando Blackman clutch FT’s to send the ASG to OT.
A close 2nd was probably MJ’s last ASG.
health and safety protocols before greed revenue gains
All Star weekend has needed reform for a long time.
Do a 3 pt shootout, a dunk contest and 2-on-2 contest with each team sending one rep for each. Make one happen on Friday night, one on Saturday night, one on Sunday afternoon. Tally up the points. Team with most points gets some sort of carrot (if playoff team, you get a 1st round bye or home court advantage … if non playoff team, the #14 pick in the upcoming draft – the one right outside the lottery.
All-Star games should never impact the regular season or playoffs in any way. One of the stupidest things I have seen in sports was when MLB decided to have the All-Star game determine home field advantage for the World Series. Absolutely ridiculous.
that actually made it mean something…
Yes
What I dont need is another 2k screaming blaring noise game on my TV. Turned that ish off immediately.
That’s fine, just take the lost income out of the players’ salary proportionally and don’t play. Health is more important than money, so surely the players will have no issue taking a small financial hit.
Wait, what? I could be wrong, but I believe only the players selected get a small bonus for playing the game. If you’re saying no bonus, ok. If you’re suggesting the players should make up for the loss in it’s entirety as a collective, that’s absurd.
I don’t see a reason to have it this season. Normally it’s a fun little “extra” type thing to the season, but with things how they are there just isn’t a good reason to hold an exhibition.
I’m with a lot of other people- just name the teams, let guys get their honors, and skip the game.
They should change it to a celebrity poker tournament for charity and only let some play. Some virtual some real at a nice golf course…
I think this narrows down to WHAT IT MEANS to have an all-star game (you know, the impact and everything)… I think there should be an All-star game this year…
Firstly, the All-Star game has a global impact – people from around the world are fascinated by the Dunk contest and the best players ballin’ out for fun in the ASG and this is better with a lotta people sitting at home. Sometimes, kids even try out new stuff like moves picked out of the game too.
Secondly, it is almost completely for the purpose of charity and that is something that is necessary especially in this point of time. You cannot expect as many fans turning up for the game (we all know that VIPs get priority tickets to AS-Weekend), but it sure will be for a good cause in the end.
Finally, it’s fun – both for us and the players themselves – the league is in this weird place right now where we really are unable to determine the real winners and losers or those who rise up and fall down the Standings… it’s probably taken a weird mental hit on the players, coaches and us fans too. ASW would be a big break and it would give that confidence to go on with everything.
SO yeah, i guess having an All-Star game is a pretty cool idea!
i mean the answer to “need” is obviously no, but if the union is fine than the best players named that dont opt out should be able to go. dont wanna play? dont, but some guys probably want to as well.
YAWN !!! NO !!!