Before the 2020-2021 NBA season started, there were a lot of concerns about the health of players, coaches and staff. The season started later than usual this year on Dec. 24, due to the previous season being postponed because of COVID-19. Now, as All-Star weekend approaches, it is set to include the Dunk Contest, Three Point Contest and the skills challenge. However, the All-Star game was listed as questionable at the beginning of the year.

The NBA and NBPA finalized an agreement to hold the All-Star game on March 7 in Atlanta, Georgia. The memo shared with NBA teams stated that not all the details are finalized and that health protocols will be in place for players participating. In the past, it has been mandatory for the players who were selected to play. With the pandemic going on, the players will have an option to opt out of Allstar weekend. Players that were not selected to participate in All-Star weekend will be allowed to travel in the United States to places including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

All players across the league have different opinions on whether or not the NBA should have an Allstar weekend. NBPA president Chris Paul has been an advocate for All-Star weekend. Paul has had ideas to use the revenue from the All-Star game and give it away to COVID-19 relief. Stars like Lebron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and De’Aaron Fox have all expressed their feelings towards All-Star weekend in interviews. 

“It would be a slap in the face, I have zero energy and zero excitement,” said James in an interview with ESPN.

 Fox added to James’ statement in a later interview,  “If I’m going to be brutally honest, I think it’s stupid.”

With the NBA and NBPA still planning on holding an All-Star weekend in Atlanta on March 7, they released the first round of fan voting. After the first round, James and Kevin Durant lead the way. The West guards that received the most votes were Steph Curry and Luka Donic. The East guards who received the most votes were Bradley Beal and Kyrie Irving. Once the players are officially voted into the game, the team captains will have a draft and pick the teams. Although the players have many different opinions on All-Star weekend, it is guaranteed that it will be taking place March 7 in Atlanta, Georgia.