After the Clippers’ loss to the Celtics last night, Kawhi Leonard stated that the league is putting money over the health of the players.
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The All-Star Game weekend is one of the most auspicious dates on the calendar of an NBA season. Since decades this joyous weekend has been celebrated by the league.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought several changes to this year’s season. Initially, the All-Star games were canceled for this season. An NBA season without the All-Star weekend would result in huge financial losses for the league.
After a 119-115 loss against the Celtics, the 4-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard was asked in a postgame interview, his opinions on the All-Star games conducted this year. Leonard stated that the league is putting money over the health of the players:
“It is what it is. We all know why we’re playing it. It’s money on the line. It’s opportunity to make money. Just putting money over healthy right now, pretty much”
“It is what it is. 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.”
Kawhi Leonard on playing the All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/cjy7oUTxGV
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 6, 2021
What are the prospects of Kawhi Leonard playing the All-Star Game?
Kawhi Leonard will most likely get selected as an All-Star, this season. In the first fan returns, Leonard has been getting the third-most votes among the western conference frontcourt players, with 1,285,777 votes.
Former NBA MVP, LeBron James said that playing in the event this season is a ‘slap in the face’. Back-to-back MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo shared the same thoughts as LeBron’s. He said:
“I really don’t care about the All-Star game, want to see my family, want to go see my little brother in Spain, want my brother to see me. I’m the same way. I’ve got zero energy, zero excitement.”
Kawhi has been averaging 26.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game this season. Kawhi Leonard has been leading the Clippers to an outstanding record of 17-7, to place the Clippers on the 3rd spot on the Western Conference.