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Los Angeles Lakers superstar Lebron James harshly criticized the NBA’s plans to hold a All-Star Game in the middle of the pandemic. He considered it a slap in the face for the players.
“I have zero energy and zero excitement for an All-Star Game this year,” James told reporters after the Los Angeles’ triumph. Lakers 114-93 over Denver Nuggets.
Late last year, the NBA canceled the All-Star Game scheduled for this February in Indianapolis due to the risks of the pandemic. Back then it included a five day break rest for players from March 5 to 10.
The NBA, however, in recent weeks resumed talks with the Players Association (NBPA) to organize an All-Star with a scale smaller than usual and adapted to the healthcare context.
This Thursday, the renowned journalist Shams Charania (The Athletic) said on Twitter that the league and the NBPA have already agreed to hold the event in Atlanta March 7th.
At night LeBron James, who won the ring with the Lakers last October, lamented that the players who are chosen to play the All-Star are going to miss the planned rest days.
“We come from a short offseason (period between seasons) of 71 days and when we came back they told us that we were not going to have an All Star so we could have a little break. And then they throw us an All-Star Game like that, “he said. “It’s like a slap in the face. We are still dealing with the pandemic and we are going to bring the entire league to a city that is open. “
“I am not happy with this. If I am chosen, I will be there physically but not mentally, ”advanced James who, along with Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), has been the player with the most votes by the fans.
The 36-year-old Lakers star with 18 seasons in the NBA, has not been the only figure to oppose the event.
The young point guard of the Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox said that in the context in which the competition takes place, with a score of suspended games, organizing the All-Star is stupid.
“If we have to wear a mask and do all of this for a regular game, then what’s the point of bringing the All-Star Game back?” Fox asked. “Obviously, money makes the world go round, so that’s what it is. ”.
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