Kings' De'Aaron Fox on NBA holding 2021 All-Star Game: 'I think it's stupid'

Jordan Greer

Kings' De'Aaron Fox on NBA holding 2021 All-Star Game: 'I think it's stupid' image

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Thursday morning that the NBA and National Basketball Players Association have agreed to host the 2021 All-Star Game on March 7 in Atlanta. Not everyone is feeling enthusiastic about holding the event.

After the Kings' 116-111 win over the Celtics on Wednesday night, Sacramento guard De'Aaron Fox was asked whether he was surprised by the discussions surrounding the All-Star Game considering that the league had to postpone several contests over the past month because of COVID-19-related issues. He didn't pull any punches with his response.

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"If I'm gonna be brutally honest, I think it's stupid," Fox said. "If we have to wear masks and do all this for a regular game, then what's the point of bringing the All-Star Game back? But obviously money makes the world go 'round, so it is what it is. I'm not really worried about it. If I'm voted [in], so be it."

Fox is far from a lock to earn a spot on an All-Star roster, but he is in the conversation. The 23-year-old is averaging a career-high 22.3 points per game for a Kings team that has climbed out of an early-season hole by winning five of its past six games.

Despite his objections to having the All-Star Game in the first place, Fox told reporters that he would participate in the event if he is able to earn his first All-Star berth because, as he said, "money makes the world go 'round."

"You know you get fined [if you don't play]? If you're supposed to be in it, and you're not hurt and you decide not to play, that's a hefty fine," Fox said. "So, hell yeah, I would play in it. Hope I'm not fined for saying that."

The NBA has not yet finalized details regarding this year's All-Star Game, so it's possible the league would allow players to opt out based on health concerns. Allowing exemptions for non-injured All-Stars could eliminate interest, though, so the rule could stay in place.

That's just part of the challenge of keeping the All-Star Game on the calendar, but it's clear the NBA is moving forward with its plan, even if some players think following that plan is "stupid."

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.