The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) are finalizing an agreement for an All-Star Game on March 7 in Atlanta by the end of this week, according to a league memo shared with teams and according to ESPN.
Instead of a full weekend starting Friday night, the East vs West game and the skills competitions will go down the same night. The All-Star Game and skills competitions will be held at State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks.
The NBA and NBPA are also finalizing details on health and safety protocols that will govern the All-Star participants and the players who will not be attending the NBA All-Star game.
The NBPA and NBA have been working through the details of a scaled-down event that centers on transporting players in and out of Atlanta in a significantly shorter window of time than what would be required on a typical All-Star Weekend, sources said.
Some players including LeBron James thinks it’s not a good idea.
video courtesy of ESPN
“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. Short offseason for myself and my teammates, 71 days, and then coming into this season, we were told that we were not having an All-Star Game, so we’d have a nice little break. Five days (in March) from the 5th through the 10th, an opportunity for me to kind of recalibrate for the second half of the season. My teammates as well. Some of the guys in the league. And then they throw an All-Star Game on us like this and just breaks that all the way up. So, um, pretty much kind of a slap in the face.”
De’Aaron Fox thoughts on the NBA All-Star Game
video courtesy of ESPN
Personally i was ok with the NBA season being cancelled last season just for the simple fact i prioritize health over wealth, but I understand it’s a business and they have the funds to better test players, staff and all employees. The problem I have about this is it being in Atlanta. The ATL is open for the free world with no restrictions. It will be interesting to see how they monitor players and staff. They’ll have to worry about more than players going to get lemon pepper wings!
