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Jan 30, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to having a foul called on him during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
via Imago
Jan 30, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to having a foul called on him during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
The 2021 NBA All-Star game is just a month away. The NBA and the NBPA confirmed recently that Atlanta will play host to this year’s edition, which will be on March 7. But not everyone is happy about this, and this list includes Los Angeles Lakers star, LeBron James.
Unsurprisingly, Bron is leading the Western Conference votes in the first ballot for All-Star. He was asked about his interest levels for the game following the announcement about the date and venue. “I have zero energy and zero excitement for an All-Star Game this year,” he said, after the Lakers vs Nuggets game.
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LeBron added that he fails to understand the need for an All-Star game this season. He said, “We were told that we would not have an All-Star game, so we had a nice little break of five days. … A slap in the face and we’re also still dealing with the pandemic… We’re bringing the whole league into one city that’s open… It’s out of my hands. I’ll be there if I’m selected but I’ll be there physically but not mentally”
Will the NBA change their plans after LeBron James’ comments?
Since the best player in the league and the most voted-for All-Star isn’t interested, will the league change its stance? Last season, when there were players protesting the NBA bubble in Orlando, LeBron was for it. That’s when Clippers’ Patrick Beverley perfectly summed up LeBron’s influence in the league.
Hoopers say what y’all want. If @KingJames said he hooping. We all hooping. Not Personal only BUSINESS🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 🙏🏾 #StayWoke ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) June 14, 2020
“Hoopers say what y’all want,” Beverley tweeted. “If @KingJames said he hooping. We all hooping.”
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The message was clear; if LeBron says he will play, the league will follow. So by that logic, since LeBron has said there is no need for an All-Star Game, the league could echo his statement.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 22, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) is fouled while attempting a shot next to New York Knicks guard Reggie Bullock (25) in the third quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
On similar lines, Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox also called the All-Star game “stupid,” and with the pandemic going on, it doesn’t make sense to have it. If the number of disgruntled players increases, the NBA could potentially change their stance on it. If multiple All-Stars contract the virus, a lot of teams will be without their best players, and it would handicap teams.
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There are multiple potential problems, so the NBA needs to come up with a solution soon.
ALSO READ – WATCH: Lakers’ LeBron James Gets Roasted on Twitter After he Airballs Free Throw Against Denver Nuggets
