Superstar players are not happy with the League’s decision to hold the 2021 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta on March 7. LeBron James (LA Lakers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), and many other top athletes would prefer to have a rest instead of playing during the pandemic.
LeBron James about the 2021 All-Star Game: “I have zero excitement”
- The NBA All-Star Game is a very popular annual sporting event held shortly before the League’s Finals. Calling this event a tournament or a competition is not entirely correct because the NBA All-Star Weekend is just an exciting show organized to attract more viewers. Since NBA fans can vote to select the All-Star Game participants, it is usually a match between the League’s most popular and talented players. But organizing such a big event during the coronavirus pandemic is not really safe, and that is why everyone expected the 2020-21 NBA season to be held without an All-Star Weekend. Since the virus is one of the NBA’s main problems, the League’s new health and safety protocols are very strict, and it is quite difficult to gather players from different teams and cities in one safe place.
Therefore, the recent decision to hold the 2021 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta on March 7 was rather a surprise. NBA fans and players don’t understand why attracting a lot of viewers is more important than safety. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and many other superstar athletes say that they would rather spend more time with their families. The league’s top players believe that this event will be organized just to earn more money.
LeBron voiced his concerns after the Lakers’ victory over the Denver Nuggets:
“I have zero energy and zero excitement about an All-Star Game this year. I don’t even understand why we’re having an All-Star Game, but it’s the agreement. Obviously, you guys can see I’m not very happy about it, but it’s out of my hands, and I’ll be there physically if I’m selected.”
Even though the League’s new health and safety protocols are very effective, organizing the 2021 NBA All-Star Weekend during the coronavirus pandemic is definitely not the best decision. Hopefully, the NBA has a good plan, and the 2021 NBA All-Star Game would be just a fun and safe event.