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The NBA plans to hold the annual dunk contest
at halftime of the March 7 All-Star Game in Atlanta, ESPN
reported Wednesday.
The skills competition and 3-point shooting contest, which
typically are paired with the dunk contest on a different night
from the All-Star Game during a weekend-long celebration, also
would be held on the same night as the Game this year, according
to ESPN.
The report indicated that the league and the National Basketball
Players Association likely will formalize the health and safety
protocols surrounding the All-Star festivities later this week.
ESPN added that the plan calls for players to come to Atlanta
via private planes on March 6, utilize private housing, compete
in the game on March 7 and then fly out immediately postgame.
Among the NBA stars who have come out against the NBA holding an
All-Star Game amid the coronavirus pandemic are LeBron James,
Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden.
James said he has "zero energy and zero enthusiasm" for the
exhibition contest and maintained that plans to hold the contest
amid the health crisis are "a slap in the face" to the players.
Antetokounmpo said, "Like, I can't worry about the All-Star
Game. I want to see my family. ... If they tell us we're gonna
show up, we've got to do our job. ... But at the end of the day
inside, deep down, I don't want to do it. I want to get some
break."
Leonard added, "I mean, we all know why we are playing it. You
know, there's money on the line," he said. "It's an opportunity
to make more money. ... Just putting money over health right
now, pretty much."
Harden said, "I know what the reasoning is for, but I feel like,
especially with a condensed schedule, it feels like everything
was forced upon players."
--Field Level Media
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