After LeBron James, NBA stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden spoke out against hosting an NBA All-Star Game next month, due to the pace of the season, linked to the health context.
While the fan vote to designate their five holders began this week, the league plans, according to several media, to organize an All-Star Game, bringing together the best players in the NBA, on March 7 in Atlanta.
“We all know what we play for,” Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard said on Friday.
"There is money at stake. It is an opportunity to make more money ... by prioritizing money over health, in a way."
The players resumed competition before Christmas with only two months of rest since the end of the 2020 playoffs in the Orlando health bubble.
“Deep down inside, I don't want to do it. I want to take a break. "
Giannis Antetokounmpo
"When we started the season, we thought we knew there would be no All-Star Game, but that we could spend time with our family."
"I think every player was looking forward to those five or seven days off," reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said.
"If they tell us we have to go, we have to do our job," added the Greek winger.
“I will always do my job.
I am still here, I set a good example.
But deep down, I don't want to do it.
I want to take a break. "
Before him, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, the defending champions, called the idea of an All-Star Game a "slap in the face" for players and said he had "no energy and no energy. excitement ”for such an event.
“It's already exhausting to play a lot of matches in a week.
I think this week was supposed to allow us to relax, be with our families and take a step back from basketball, ”added Brooklyn Nets back James Harden, top scorer of the last three seasons. .
Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul, also president of the National Basketball Players Association, has confirmed the league wants to host the game.
"The players have the right to have their feelings, their own decisions ... I think the job of the union is to try to make sure that our players are healthy and safe," he explained. .
Read also
The Raptors stronger than the Nets, Durant lugged around with the virus
