Last year, the NBA’s response to the coronavirus pandemic served as a model for professional sports leagues. The league held a restarted season and entire postseason in a bubble setting and had zero positive cases of COVID-19.
But for the 2020-21 season, the league felt that holding an entire season in a bubble setting was untenable, opting instead to have teams travel with coronavirus protocols in place. As expected, there have been some positive COVID cases, but thus far, teams have generally taken the protocols seriously and avoided a major stoppage.
And yet, despite all the precautions in place during the regular season, Adam Silver thought it would be fine to hold an All-Star Game in Atlanta — even amid objections from players.
It was a terrible idea when the plans were announced, and on Sunday, the situation got even worse.
The NBA has ruled Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons OUT of tonight’s All-Star Game: pic.twitter.com/RUn4iNrfwc
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 7, 2021
Due to contact tracing, the NBA ruled out Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons for Sunday’s All-Star Game. The league is not expected to replace the players. And with just hours before tipoff, fans waited no time to rip the league for even holding an All-Star Game during a pandemic.
The NBA, currently pic.twitter.com/cGQFgqBTeW
— Farmer Jones (@thefarmerjones) March 7, 2021
Adam Silver- we are doing this All Star game “for the fans” pic.twitter.com/1RLvBb8C0b
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) March 7, 2021
Adam silver trying to balance the owners, players, and fans interests pic.twitter.com/Wd9SDBTNxl
— kyle/Free agent nba fan (@knicks_tape99) March 7, 2021
“mr silver, why are we having an all star game in the middle of a pandemic?”
adam silver: pic.twitter.com/XobdKtrCWN
— 𝙇𝙪𝙠𝙚⚡️ (@lcdc2k) March 7, 2021
Adam Silver: “Hey buddy, I know it’s short notice but do you wanna play in the All-Star ga—“
Trae Young: pic.twitter.com/7PdZd6e6kG
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) March 7, 2021
Adam Silver sending All-Star weekend to Atlanta pic.twitter.com/tqkHHb4aPJ
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) March 7, 2021
If the NBA having an all star game in the middle of a pandemic doesn't show people that leagues value money over the safety and health of their players I don't know what will
— WNBAUNCUT (@WNBAUncut) March 7, 2021
Adam silver counting his money while the all star game is having a pandemic issue pic.twitter.com/J5ur2QqME5
— oo (@CoIlinsexton) March 7, 2021
Adam Silver: Wait until after the game to judge whether it was a mistake.
Can we judge it yet? https://t.co/VDoeGpGQLE— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 7, 2021
This is how Adam Silver will be pulling up to the All-Star game later today: pic.twitter.com/xUF23dsOFd
— Angelo (IFB) (@AGLR_23) March 7, 2021
Adam Silver making sure the NBA ASG still happens. pic.twitter.com/HP1bN6dQcI
— BEAN 🏁🏁🏁 (@MGRADS) March 7, 2021
Adam Silver seeing the news about Embiid and Simmons. pic.twitter.com/dE0YHDLtAk
— Brandon Patterson (@Patterson_B) March 7, 2021
