Sacramento Kings security guard De’Aaron Fox clearly doesn’t support the NBA having an All-Star Game this season, saying “it’s stupid” that the league is hosting the event amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources told ESPN earlier this week that the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are working on an agreement for an All-Star Game on March 7 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
When asked on Wednesday evening whether he had heard that the All-Star Game might be returning, Fox said the league’s decision was financially driven.
“If I have to be brutally honest, I think it’s stupid,” Fox said after leading the Kings to a victory over the Boston Celtics. “If we have to wear a mask and do all this for a normal game, what’s the point of bringing back the All-Star Game?
“Obviously money makes the world go round, so it is what it is.”
Despite his reference to the NBA’s coronavirus-related protocols, Fox said he is “not really concerned” about playing in the All-Star Game if selected.
“If I get voted, so be it,” he said.
Fox, 23, has an excellent season with the Kings, averaging 22.3 points and 6.6 assists per game. He was not among the top-10 Western Conference guards at the initial fan return, announced Thursday.
Fox was also asked on Wednesday-evening whether he would choose to play in the game if he was selected for the Western Conference roster.
“You know you’re going to be fined – if you belong and you’re not hurt and you decide not to play, that’s a big fine,” he said. “So damn yes, I would play in it.”