Los Angeles (AFP)

LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden had castigated the holding of an All-Star Game, demanding rest in the middle of a regular season tightened by the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic.

But they will be in Atlanta on Sunday to try to put on a show there.

Unlike the usual three-day raid, during which the players string together commercial and media solicitations, in a festive atmosphere, on the sidelines of said all-star game and its satellite events (dunk competition, three points, dexterity ... .), the 70th edition will take place over a single day and will only be sporty.

In December, the NBA had canceled the event which was to take place in Indianapolis, given the uncertainty relating to the evolution of the health crisis and believing that it was difficult to include in a calendar condensed to 72 matches of the season. regular (instead of 82) from Christmas to mid-May.

Then in the last few weeks, the idea emerged to finally organize a reduced "ASG", Adam Silver, the league boss, arguing: "it's the right thing to do to move forward and it's my work to work in the interest of all ".

The NBA cannot indeed afford to miss the opportunity to raise money, while for the past year it has suffered a big shortfall, resulting mainly from the virtual absence of revenue from the box office.

Pandemic requires, very few rooms receive the public and when it is the case, it is in very limited number.

- "Money before health" -

Hence the Atlanta solution, where the audiovisual group Turner is based, whose TNT channel broadcasts the All-Star Game.

It will take place almost behind closed doors (1,500 people invited) and the mayor of the city has called on fans of the orange ball to stay at home to watch it, rather than doing it in bars.

The prospect of traveling to Georgia, by private flight, for less than 24 hours spent only at the hotel and the State Farm Arena, was not at all to the liking of the stars, who hoped to fully rest during the five-day break separating the two parts of the season.

“We all know why” the All-Star Game is taking place.

"Because of the money at stake. We put that before health at the moment," cracked Kawhi Leonard.

As for LeBron James, who had little respite between his league title won in October with the Lakers and the start of the season 71 days later, he criticized the NBA for having "slapped" the players.

This did not prevent it from being acclaimed more than anyone by the votes of fans, journalists and players.

Suffering from a small sprained left ankle, he should nevertheless assume his role as captain of "Team LeBron" on the floor.

- Denigrated Jazz players?

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To accompany him in his 17th All-Star Game in a row, the "King" chose to compose his major five with Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Luka Doncic (Dallas) and Nikola Jokic (Denver) ).

A galactic list a little more impressive on paper than that of Kevin Durant (Brooklyn), who will not play on Sunday (hamstrings), and has selected Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) ), Bradley Beal (Washington) and Jayson Tatum (Boston).

The two captains also chose, in turn, seven substitutes and it is in very last that the French Rudy Gobert, of which it will be the second participation in a row, was called by "LBJ", just after his teammate of Utah, Donovan Mitchell, selected by "KD".

Denigrated, the players playing in the team which currently dominates the championship?

Many fans and observers think so.

James wanted him to demine with a surprising touch of humor: "You have to understand, it's like in the video games of our childhood, we never played with Utah. Even if Karl Malone and John Stockton were great, we never played them with Utah. never chose ".

LeBron would have liked to spice up the All-Star Game that he would not be better taken.

But will the public be there to see how James and Gobert will play together?

© 2021 AFP