The NBA has officially announced its plans to host an All-Star game on Sunday, March 7 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, with the league’s global celebration set to commence on one night for the first time in history.
Along with the All-Star Game, which starts at 8:00 pm ET, the league also announced plans to host the Skills Competition and Three-Point Contest at 6:30 pm ET, along with its annual Dunk Contest at halftime.
As part of the events, the NBA is committing more than $2.5MM in funds and resources toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities, plus support and awareness around equity and access to COVID-19 care, relief and vaccines, the league said.
The All-Star game will follow the same format as last year’s game. The two captains — along with the starters for the contest — will be announced Thursday night on TNT. While subject to change, Lakers forward LeBron James and Nets forward Kevin Durant are currently in line to become this year’s captains, as both players have been leading their conferences in fan voting.
The “Elam Ending,” which was introduced in last year’s game, will be back for this year’s event. As was the case in 2020, the target score will be determined by adding 24 points to the winning teams total after three quarters, to honor the late Kobe Bryant.
Several prominent NBA players have pushed back against the idea of holding an All-Star Game at all amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but the league believes it can be held safely and has established additional measures on top of its usual health and safety protocols. A “mini-bubble” will be created to help ensure participants’ safety, which includes enhanced PCR testing and private travel. No fan activities will be held in light of the pandemic.
Better have less advertising interruptions if they are going to pull this off! That’s a pretty grueling schedule for an All-Star weekend. Why not start the dunk & 3 point contest around 1 or 2 instead?
Because it would require thinking. Just like it would require thinking that if the top players all don’t want to do it why do it.
‘Cause all the fans want the ASG happenin’… seems pretty obvious that is the reason it goes forward, don’t forget the vast majority of players too, as this was first proposed by the players association not the league as a matter of fact!
Blake Griffin isn’t giving back that $38 million!
All fans do not want the All-star game to occur. Many casual fans, maybe, but certainly not “all fans.” I am a huge NBA fan because I understand the game and enjoy the competition. Watching a bunch of guys sleepwalk through an exhibition game doesn’t do anything for me. All-star game and the other competitions surrounding it are boring at best, but this year the whole thing is absolutely irresponsible.
You’re a hater! It’s fun to watch the best players compete. If you hate superstars so much why dont you watch the G league…
“Compete?” The All-star game does not involve competing. It involves players going through the motions, for the most part. Quite frankly, any G league game would likely involve much for competing. One could see much more competing going on at any pick-up game in a park somewhere.
much more*
Okay then why dont you take your commentary over to “random people competing in a park somewhere” rumors.com? Smdh
Heheh doesn’t take much to get your panties bunched up over an exhibition game, does it. I am more focused on the unnecessary risk considering the current pandemic. There is a reason even the Atlanta mayor urged people to avoid attending any NBA All-star festivities.
She even asked that people not travel to the city to celebrate the All-star game at all.
Yeah… the players won’t be celebrating they’ll be playing, that’s the whole point. Plus there will be a bubble and testing. It should go smoothly.
Guys train their whole life with dreams of being an All Star. For the guys like Lebron who been there okay I can see why he doesn’t care. But for some guys this is their only chance. And you want to take that away from them? Try thinking of those people. They’re gonna take precautions.
maybe cause we pay them to play..dont want to do it? then dont get paid..these players have gotten overpaid and arrogant
I will be competing for the Edam ending where the winner is whoever eats the most cheese over the weekend.
This means come Monday my jejunum will be slated for DPOY
There will be very little action at the rim
Are the players allowed to opt out of the game?
Personally I think they should be excused if they don’t wanna play, just with one tiny caveat though, if you don’t wanna play you forfeit your All-Star nomination… then we will see how much it matters for guys to get the accolade or not.
Always great to see if guys have the courage of their convictions, right?