NBA All-Star game

There are our four major sports, and it’s not difficult to figure out that National Football League’ Pro-Bowl is not its Super Bowl, that National Hockey League’s All-Star game isnot its Stanley Cup, that Major League Baseball All-Star game is not its World Series.

And last and not least, that the National Basketball Association’s finals are not its All-Star game.

And that is that. But take if for what it’s worth, they all bring revenues, except for one thing, the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, the World Series and NBA finals ‘have’ to be played, a ‘must’ to create the respective champions.

The NFL season just ended, and hail to Tom Brady and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers for hoisting the Vince Lombardo Trophy, and is no doubt America’s sport. Now professional hockey can be labeled Canada’s sport, its only major sport, while baseball is our national pastime.

So that leaves us with the NBA, which leaves it in a coronavirus pandemic now in its 11th month, and with a decision to be made, do we or don’t we play an All-Star game. The vast majority of players are against it, no way most say, with LeBron James of the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers the most vocal, biggest voice, the ringleader.

Definition of its All-Star game: “It’s an annual exhibition played in February every year between the Eastern and Western Conferences, with the starters chosen by fans and players, and the rest of the roster by the other teams, and it’s a 3-day weekend dedicated to that event.”

But It is currently in part two of putting together the game. It was originally scheduled for early February, but that was postponed because of COPID-19 issues. The talk then was in regard to the virus restrictions. And the bulk of the players put that together with other virus issues, and now they are picking up the pace, finding enough reasons to want out and not in.

The new date decided upon was March 7th at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. It still is, but it could be back in the closet if the players continue to shout it down.

Said James: “Not interested. I have zero energy and zero excitement and don’t understand why we’re having an All-Star game in these times. It’s pretty much, kind of like a slap in the face.”

He’s got plenty of company.

Said Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks: “We quite all follow the big dog, so I’m with James, and if he doesn’t want to play, I say the same, I don’t want to play. I much rather see my family.”

Joining in was John Wall of the Houston Rockets. “I flat out count it stupid. It’s not the time for it.”

James Butler of the Miami Heat’s reasoning was that he’s spent most of this season sidelined by injuries, and would be much better off avoiding anymore injuries in what is a meaningless game.

“Hey, I’m a rookie,” said LaMelo Bell of the Charlotte Hornets, “and sure I’d like be part of the All-Star game, but it can wait because I’d rather not play in this one.”

His older brother, Lonzo, of the New Orleans Saints, doesn’t even want to talk about it, claiming he would like to be an All-Star, but if his time comes, he’d rather it not be this time.

DeMar Derozan of the San Antonio Spurs added he’s spent little time with his family, has a fear of the pandemic, and would like this time off to be with his family, eat with his family, and enjoy a few days with his family.

Then there’s Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

“We’d best not play this All-Star game,” he said. “There will be limited attendance, which takes away the thrill of playing it, and there will be restrictions that we can avoid by not playing it. I certainly do not approve of having it.”

Said Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons: “Now is not the time to play and All-Star game, later for it. That’s my feelings for it, and I see the players are also sticking by it.”

Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, having his best season, said that he’s happy to be playing well, but in these times, the All-Star game doesn’t mean as much and that he choses health over just another meaningless basketball game.

“I second what Randle said,” was his new teammate Derek Rose, “and that I’m not about to risk an injury or being infected by the virus. I’d rather sit out the All-Star game this time and prepare to now be part of my new team, the Knicks.”

Which brings us to the bottom line, that there is no way do they want to shoot hoops in the NBA All-Star game. Does it matter what the players want? Guess you can just follow the bouncing ball, follow the play-by-play of the verbal arguments that appear to stand only one way, no way do they want to play on that day.