The 2021 All-Star game has become one of the most controversial topics of the season. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the NBA has only grown more confident in their ability to keep players safe. Thus, they are growing bolder with how they are choosing to handle the crisis.
Instead of scrapping the All-Star game, like originally planned, the league decided to host an actual game like normal. This year, the plan is to host it in Atlanta sometime in March.
On one hand, it brings in a lot of money for the league, which will help keep their financial situation afloat and, in turn, keep the players’ salaries from plummeting. On the other hand, it puts the health and safety of the players at risk.
So far, many stars have spoken out against having the All-Star game this year, including LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and De’Aaron Fox.
Portland star Damian Lillard is the latest to speak on the issue, and he is holding a different position than most of his other colleagues.
“A lot of players are saying, ‘Why are we even having a game?’ And I understand that. If they said we’re not going to have a game, I’d be perfectly fine with it. I just had two newborns, and I would love to spend that extra time at home with my family. My fiancee went through a lot delivering two kids, so I’m sure she’d love to have that extra time with me at home, and the same with Dame Jr. and the rest of my family that I haven’t even been able to see because we’ve been under these strict protocols.
But if they say we’re going to do it, I understand that because this is our job and I understand that with the kind of money we make, you’ve got to make sacrifices and certain things just have to be done. Obviously for that event, TNT or whoever is gonna want the show to go on. There’s repercussions for us not doing that. It could be something negative for us not going along with that. If that’s what we’re going to do, I’m with it. But if we’re not, I’m fine with that too.”
https://twitter.com/highkin/status/1359380539086544899
Dame’s stance is probably the most reasonable and logical of the ones we’ve heard so far. He recognizes the problem and threat the game could pose, but also understands that not playing the game could have serious consequences for both himself and the NBA.
Ultimately, it’s the league’s decision and it’s a lose-lose situation.
If they feel confident enough to keep players safe amid an All-Star game, then who are we to argue? They’ve done a pretty decent job so far…
