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Nuotr .: AFP-Scanpix
Nuotr. AFP-Scanpix
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and other league leaders are having a hard time. On Friday, the NBA’s brightest face, LeBron James, publicly criticized the league’s decision to host an All-Star game, and was joined tonight by a bevy of other great basketball players.
These include NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brooklyn Nets star James Harden, and Los Angeles Clippers manager Kawhi Leonard.
“I think all the players were waiting for those 5-7 days off. We all have to follow the big dog – said Antetokounmpo with LeBron in mind. – He said that he has neither the energy nor the interest to play in the All-Star Game and I feel the same. At the moment, I don’t really care about the All-Star game. We cannot meet our families. “
“I can’t think of an All-Star game. I want to see my family. I want to go to Spain with my brother. I have no desire or passion. However, if they tell us to show up, we will have to do our job.
I will always do my job and lead by example, but deep down I don’t want to play in All Star games. I want a break, ”Antetokounmpo continued.
James said nearly identical words on Friday.
“After the league said there wouldn’t be an All-Star Game this season, it’s like a punch to the face,” LeBron said. – I don’t even know why we will have this event at all. Personally, I have neither the energy nor the excitement for this match. “
James also added that in March he expected a five-day break rather than a showdown.
“My body will be there, but not really thoughts,” James added.
Before the start of the new season, the NBA announced that All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis would be canceled, but plans changed last week and it was decided to bring the event back.
At least for now, the current decision is for Star Day to take place on March 7. In Atlanta.
Antetokounmpo acknowledged that the 2020 event in Chicago was a really fun experience.
“I hope that the All Stars fans can visit the fans, who we can thank,” said the Greek. “But if we organize an All-Star game just to have it and we don’t have a following, I don’t see the point in organizing a game.”
Antetokounmpo also said he would rather use the break to recharge his energy than to participate in the All-Star game.
“Before the season, we all thought there would not be an All-Star Game and we could use this time to spend time with families. After the changes in security protocol, this is not easy as families can no longer go to the field game.
When you return home, you will not be able to leave the house and will only be able to go to the gym or the stadium. We don’t have time to take the family out to dinner or take them to a game at times and at least break away from basketball, ”said the Greek.
Harden expressed a very similar opinion, saying that the organization of the All-Star game seems risky.
“There is a lot going on with the virus right now, and we are preparing for such an event,” Harden said. “I understand the reasons for that, but knowing the tight schedule gives the impression that everything is falling on the players.”
“Playing so many games a week is frustrating. I thought the break would be to relax, spend time with families, and retire from basketball, ”Harden continued.
At the time, Leonard spoke more harshly and openly stated that the league prioritized money over health.
“We all know why we plan to play. The money is on the card, said the Clippers star. – This is an opportunity to earn money. In practice, we prefer money to health. The pandemic is still here, but we keep playing. We follow protocols and various rules, so I’m not surprised. “
“We all saw what LeBron said. I agree with him, ”said Kemba Walker, player for the Boston Celtics. “He is an intelligent man and most of what he says is true.”
Chris Paul, a defender for the Suns and president of the NBA Players Association, said he had recently interacted with James and Stephen Curry. He also recognized that scheduling NBA games and separating families is not an easy process.
“We called and tried to resolve different situations with guys who play a lot of games. “I’m sure I’m not the only player living without my family, so most men see the breaks as an opportunity to meet loved ones,” Paul said.
“The players association always thinks about basketball players, but it comes down to emotions, most of them want and have the right to express their feelings, and I respect that,” he added.
De’Aaron Fox, the defender for the Sacramento Kings, was the first to express his discontent with the organization of the All-Star game.
“I’ll be tough, but I think that’s stupid,” Fox said earlier. – If we have to wear masks during regular season matches, what is the goal of bringing the All-Star game back? Of course, money makes the world go round. I don’t really survive because of it. “
Houston Wallets player John Wall expressed a similar thought after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I really don’t agree with that decision, but I respect Chris Paul and Adam Silver and I understand the situation,” Wall said. – I don’t care if I go to the All Stars game or not. The most important thing is to win a place in the playoffs. “
As if it were small, there was another misunderstanding in the NBA world last night when Nets star Kevin Durant was forced to leave the game with the Toronto Raptors.
The problem with Duranto’s appearance in the match started even before the start of the match. The Nets star did not participate in the warm-up and entered the field when the game began, as the goal was to determine if Durant had close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
Despite Durant finally showing up on the floor, in the third quarter he was told he had to leave the arena. Durant probably won’t go to Philadelphia with the team, where he will play a game with the local 76ers.
The NBA has circulated a report that Durant has submitted three negative COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours, but the person Durant interacted with before the game submitted a test that did not return an accurate result. While waiting for the test results, Durant couldn’t step on the parquet.
Even so, during the game, that person took another test that gave a positive result. For security reasons, Durant has been asked to leave the arena, and potential contacts will now be followed up further.
Hearing the request to exit the arena from the Barclays Center, Durant clearly expressed his discontent, which he later took to social media.
“Set me free,” Durant originally wrote.
After the NBA released the explanation of the aforementioned situation, the basketball player also left a comment under the record.
“Hey NBA, your fans aren’t stupid. He won’t fool them with his unconscious public relations tactics,” Durant wrote.
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