NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 04: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media prior to the start of the NBA 2K League Draft at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Adam Silver is in the crosshairs after Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid were ruled out for the All-Star Game.
The majority of NBA players actually participating in the All-Star Game don’t want to be there. It’s nothing against Atlanta or the festivities, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made completing a season extraordinarily difficult as is. Adding in an All-Star exhibition seems trivial and an unnecessary risk.
As it turns out, that risk could end up biting the best team in the Eastern Conference at the midway point. Embiid and Simmons came in contact with a likely COVID-19 positive individual, as their barber back in Philadelphia may have contracted the virus.
NBA fans took out their anger on Adam Silver
Is it Silver’s fault alone than an All-Star Game took place? Not necessarily. Yet, he’s the figurehead for the owners. Despite all the money left to be made on Sunday night, it’s not worth putting the players — the Association’s literal product — at risk.
Silver’s relationship with the NBA players’ association is always on rocky ground given those he represents. Sunday’s developments won’t make his job any easier.