De’Aaron Fox, the Sacramento Kings guard, obviously doesn’t support the NBA having an All-Star Game this season, saying it’s “stupid” for the league to hold the event amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources told ESPN earlier this week that the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association were working to reach an agreement for an All-Star Game on March 7 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
When asked Wednesday night if he had heard of the return of the All-Star Game, Fox indicated that the league’s decision was financially motivated.
“If I’m going to be brutally honest, I think it’s stupid,” Fox said after leading the Kings to a win over the Boston Celtics. “If we have to wear a mask and do all this for a normal game, then what sense does it make to get the All-Star Game back?
“Viously, obviously, money spins the world, so that’s what it is.”
Despite his reference to NBA coronavirus-related protocols, Fox said he is “not really worried” about playing the All-Star Game if selected.
“If they vote for me, so be it,” he said.
Fox, 23, has an exceptional season with the Kings, averaging 22.3 points and 6.6 assists per game. He did not rank among the top ten Western Conference guards in the initial fan vote statements, which were announced Thursday.
Fox was also asked Wednesday night if he would choose to play the game if he were selected for the Western Conference roster.
“You know you’re fined – if you’re supposed to be there and you’re not injured and you decide not to play, it’s a hefty fine,” he said. “So heck yeah, I’d play it.”