By Konrad Gonzalez, Staff Reporter
This NBA season has been nothing short of a challenge for all of the teams. Recently, teams were hit with another challenge as the NBA announced that there will be an All-Star game this year despite objections from players. On February 4, the NBA and NBPA reached an accord to host the game in Atlanta on Sunday, March 7, according to The Athletic reporter Shams Charania.
"It is what it is. We all know why we're playing it. It's money on the line," Los Angeles Clippers small forward and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard said. "It's an opportunity to make more money. Just putting money over health right now, pretty much."
The All-Star Game is mainly being held because of the revenue it will generate for the league. This season the NBA has made much less profits due to the pandemic. Playing without fans has a big impact as 40 percent of team's revenue comes from in-person seats. Many broadcasting services want the event to happen.
“I have zero energy and zero excitement about an All-Star Game this year," Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard/small forward LeBron James said. "I don’t even understand why we’re having an All-Star Game…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 fifth through the 10th.”
The NBA also plans on using the revenue generated to help historically black colleges and universities with COVID relief and vaccine education.
Many players are resisting and upset over the game. In addition to Leonard and James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kemba Walker, James Harden, and De’Aaron Fox have all spoken out against the league's decision.
"We gotta all follow the big dog [LeBron], man," Milwaukee Bucks power forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo said. "The big dog says he has zero excitement, zero energy for the All-Star Game, I’m the same way. … I want to see my family."
The league also plans on holding the Slam Dunk contest and 3-point contest as well on the same day. So far, most of the big name dunkers have opted out of the dunk contest leaving fans upset. Although many big names are participating in the 3-point contest like Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Zach Lavine, and Donovan Mitchell.
Fans should at the very least get to enjoy the All-Star Game as captains Lebron James and Kevin Durant lead their respective teams this Sunday.
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