LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo could be competitors in rival conferences, but they share the same sentiments regarding the League’s plans to hold a All-Star Game in March in Atlanta.
Just out of a 33-point, 12-rebound performance in the Milwaukee Bucks ‘123-105 victory in Cleveland on Friday night, Antetokounmpo supported James’ position in the game in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic .
“I think all the players were looking forward to these five days, seven days, whatever they are. We have to follow the Big Dog,” Antetokounmpo said, referring to James. “The Big Dog says he has no excitement or energy for the All-Star Game and I think the same way. Right now, I really don’t care about the All-Star Game. We can’t see our families.”
“I can’t worry about the All-Star Game. I want to see my family. I want to go see my little brother in Spain, I want my brother to come and see,” he added. “Then I think the same way. I have no energy, zero emotion. At the end of the day, if they tell us we’re going to show up, we have to do our job. I’m always going to do my job, I’m always showing up, giving the right example. but at the end of the day, deep down, deep down, I don’t want to do it. I want to take a break. “
Antetokounmpo was second behind Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant on the Eastern Conference front track in the early fan votes.
The current Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year in a row has played in the last four All-Star Games, citing his experience in Chicago in 2020 as “very fun for fans.”
“At the end of the day, if we have the All-Star Game, I hope fans can be there and we can reciprocate,” Antetokounmpo said. “At the end of the day, if we have the All-Star Game just to have the All-Star Game and we don’t have fans, I don’t see the point in playing it.”
Prior to the Bucks-Cavaliers ’start, Milwaukee also arrived in Cleveland on game day due to mechanical issues with the team’s plane Thursday night. They landed in Cleveland Friday morning.
Players have learned to adapt to such situations while playing during the pandemic and in mostly empty sands.
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer let out a sigh before expressing his opinion on the All-Star Game, saying, “I completely understand that there are a lot of concerns and I share them.”
Antetokounmpo, like James, said he had the impression that the league would not hold the annual showcase until reports of the opposite began to emerge. He said he would rather spend time relaxing with basketball than competing tonight.
“I obviously thought about it when we got into the season, where everything we knew wasn’t going to be a All-Star Game, it would be a time to spend time with our family,” Antetokounmpo said. “Obviously, when you change the protocol it’s a bit difficult because on the road, your family can’t come on the road. At home you can’t leave the house, you can only go to the practice facilities or the stadium and you don’t have to time to take your family to a good dinner or for your family to come on tour or just to escape the game. “