LeBron James, Nikola Jokic split on NBA’s decision to hold All-Star game amid pandemic – The Denver Post

The NBA’s decision to host an abbreviated All-Star weekend in Atlanta has drawn split reviews from some of the game’s biggest stars with LeBron James and Nikola Jokic on opposite sides of the issue.

James, following the Lakers’ 114-93 win against the Nuggets late Thursday, said: “I have zero energy and zero excitement about an All-Star game this year. … I’ll be there physically, but not mentally.”

Jokic, in a recent interview, said he would like to play in the game: “Being an All-Star, it’s an honor, you represent a lot of people. Back home — Serbia, Sombor — my family.”

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association are anticipated to finalize an agreement next week to host an All-Star event March 7 in Atlanta with an East-West game and skills competition, per multiple reports. The league is expected to implement strict safety rules to accommodate for the coronavirus pandemic. But a 16-time All-Star like James doesn’t understand justifying the risk to play what is essentially an exhibition game.

“I don’t even understand why we’re having an All-Star game, but it’s the agreement that the players’ association and the league came about,” James told reporters on Thursday. “(It was) a short offseason for myself and my teammates with 71 days and then, coming into this season, we were told we were not having an All-Star game. So, we had a nice little break.

“Five days, from the 5th to the 10th, an opportunity for me to kind of recalibrate for the second half of the season. My teammates as well and some of the guys in the league. Then they throw an All-Star game on us like this and just break that all the way up. … A slap in the face.

“We’re also still dealing with a pandemic and still dealing with everything that’s been going on. And we’re still going to bring the whole league to one city that’s open. Obviously, the pandemic has absolutely nothing to do with it at this point when it comes to that weekend.”

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he is confident the NBA will provide a safe environment for players and coaches. He also empathizes with players like James who don’t see the point as regular-season games across the league are being postponed due to the rising community spread of coronavirus.

“Personally, I’d rather stay at home with my wife and kids,” Malone said.

Mutual respect. James and Jokic opened the All-Star fan voting as the top two forwards in the Western Conference:  1. James (2.28 million). 2. Jokic (1.47 million).

James was complimentary of Jokic this week and made a direct comparison between their passing abilities. Regarding Jokic, James said: “We do take chances that a lot of people in our league don’t take, but we have the ability to connect on a lot of those things.”

James has respect for the playing style that has given rise to Jokic’s early-season push for league MVP candidacy.

“When you’re the best player on the team, and guys still feel just as important as the best player on the team because he’s sharing the ball … it makes it so much easier for your teammates to want to play for you,” James said. “Joker continues to get better and better every single year and he’s taken another step forward this year. It’s good to see that. I love to watch guys that just play selfless basketball.”

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