NBA fans are dragging Adam Silver for forcing All-Star Game on the players
Adam Silver #AdamSilver
Adam Silver is in the crosshairs after Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid were ruled out for the All-Star Game.
The majority of NBA players actually participating in the All-Star Game don’t want to be there. It’s nothing against Atlanta or the festivities, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made completing a season extraordinarily difficult as is. Adding in an All-Star exhibition seems trivial and an unnecessary risk.
As it turns out, that risk could end up biting the best team in the Eastern Conference at the midway point. Embiid and Simmons came in contact with a likely COVID-19 positive individual, as their barber back in Philadelphia may have contracted the virus.
Is it Silver’s fault alone than an All-Star Game took place? Not necessarily. Yet, he’s the figurehead for the owners. Despite all the money left to be made on Sunday night, it’s not worth putting the players — the Association’s literal product — at risk.
Silver’s relationship with the NBA players’ association is always on rocky ground given those he represents. Sunday’s developments won’t make his job any easier.