Atlanta mayor: Fans not welcome to travel to NBA All-Star Game amid pandemic

LeBron, Kawhi, Giannis slam plans

The plan has drawn sharp criticism for taking unnecessary risk amid the pandemic. Some of the league’s top players, including LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, have spoken out against the game.

“I have zero energy and zero excitement about an All-Star Game this year,” James told reporters earlier this month. “I don’t even understand why we’re having an All-Star Game.”

Leonard characterized the event as a money grab.

“It is what it is,” Leonard said. “We all know why we’re playing it. It’s money on the line. It’s opportunity to make more money. Just putting money over health right now, pretty much.”

Despite the criticism from top players, the union and its president, Chris Paul, signed off on the game.

Was Bottoms watching what happened in Tampa?

Bottoms’ approach to hosting the game stands in contrast to Tampa-area leadership, which encouraged fans to travel and celebrate the Super Bowl.

“Spend an entire week here,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said in a news conference alongside Tampa Mayor Jane Castor before the game. “Or two weeks, for that matter here. Come on down right away.

“First and foremost, you’re going to be coming to an area that takes COVID safety and dealing with this pandemic seriously.”

The day after the Super Bowl, Castor blasted the throngs of maskless fans who took to bars and streets before, during and after the game in violation of public health and social distancing protocols.

Article Appeared @https://sports.yahoo.com/atlanta-mayor-tells-fans-not-to-come-to-city-for-nba-all-star-game-amid-pandemic-190624221.html?.tsrc=daily_mail&uh_test=2_04

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