The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are making progress toward an agreement to hold an All-Star Game on Sunday, March 7 in Atlanta, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. If finalized, it would be a single-night event at State Farm Arena that includes both a game and skills competitions, Wojnarowski adds.
The 2021 NBA All-Star weekend was originally scheduled to take place in Indianapolis, but the league postponed it — Indiana will now host the All-Star festivities in 2024.
Chris Paul, the president of the players’ union, has been among those pushing a revamped All-Star Game in Atlanta, which he’d like to use to benefit historically black colleges and universities and COVID-19 relief, Woj notes.
The idea of holding an All-Star Game at all amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has faced “resistance and skepticism” from a number of players and team executives, who view it as an unnecessary risk, according to Wojnarowski.
The safer approach would be to select two All-Star teams but not require players to travel from all over the country to a single site for a game, since one positive test among that group could result in mass postponements around the league at the start of the second half.
Still, the NBA sounds committed to trying to hold an All-Star Game, which is typically one of the league’s top events in terms of fan engagement, Wojnarowski observes. If an agreement can be officially reached, it would include a number of extra safeguards and protocols related to health and safety. Those details are still being negotiated.
The two sides are also believed to be discussing giving players the opportunity to opt out of participating in the game, which is usually mandatory for those selected, sources tell ESPN.
Once the players start making millions of dollars, and somebody was injured playing an all-star game, the model expired.
I’d be fine with naming the players as all stars, and not playing the game. I haven’t watched it in years.
I feel the same way, and have for years, as well.
Right with you. I haven’t even considered watching it in years.
Skills competition and celebrity All-Star game are the only things worth watchin anyways
I used to like that game where it was a current player, WNBA player, and nba legend and they would do the layup free throw three point half court challenge I forgot what it was called
Hold a 2K All-Star weekend and game.
HoopsRumors commenters all star selection will start soon. Fans of western teams vs fans of eastern teams. Be sure to cast your ballot and I’ll announce the rosters when ASG rolls around.
The nba all star game is terrible, it went from a well respected hard fought game to a Sunday cookout pickup game
It’s an all star game. Not a playoff game. It’s entertainment and hype. Sound like grumpy old men. This yr it’s not a good idea. I agree with what article says. One person could spread it to league. Why take a chance. They should just name them and move on. The season is more important.