Feb. 19 (UPI) -- NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the league still plans to hold its annual All-Star game this year in Atlanta, even though some of the world's best players are opposed to holding the game amid COVID-19.
Silver spoke about the plans to still have the game during an appearance Thursday on ESPN. The NBA also announced Thursday the captains and starting lineups for the March 7 contest between the Western Conference and Eastern Conference.
"It's a global event for us, and we're making our best efforts to embrace all aspects of our league to the extent we can through this pandemic and this is just one more opportunity," Silver told ESPN.
"I'll add that of course I'm listening to those who don't think it's a good idea, and I think that's been the case in terms of essentially everything we've done since we shut down [nearly] a year ago because of the pandemic."
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was named the captain for the Western Conference All-Star team. Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant was named captain of the Western Conference All-Star team.
Nets guard Kyrie Irving, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid also will start for the Eastern Conference.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will start alongside James for the Western Conference.
James has been one of the biggest critics of the All-Star Game being played.
"I have zero energy and zero excitement about an All-Star Game this year," James told reporters Feb. 4. "I don't even understand why we are having an All-Star Game, but it's an agreement that the league and players union had.
"We came off a short off-season of 71 days. It is pretty much a slap in the face. We also are still dealing with a pandemic and everything that's going on and we are going to bring the whole league into one city that's open."
James previously said he planned to go to the game if he received enough votes to be selected for the Western Conference roster.
Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox, Antetokounmpo and Leonard are among the other players who have said they don't want the game played.
"The Big Dog [James] says he has zero excitement, zero energy for the All-Star Game. I'm the same way," Antetokounmpo told reporters Feb. 6. "Right now, I don't care about the All-Star Game. I've got zero energy, zero excitement."
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms tweeted Tuesday that fans should not travel to Atlanta this year for All-Star Game festivities.
Fans won't be allowed to attend the game at State Farm Arena, but players will be allowed to bring up to four guests who are family members, close friends, agents or trainers.
"Under normal circumstances we'd be grateful for the opportunity to host the NBA All-Star Game, but this isn't a typical year," Bottoms tweeted.
"I've shared my concerns with the NBA and the Atlanta Hawks and agree this is a made-for-TV event only and people shouldn't travel to Atlanta to party."
The NBA started the 2020-21 season Dec. 22. The first half of the 72-game per-team campaign ends March 4. The second half of the season starts March 11 and ends May 16.
The NBA and players union announced Wednesday that five players returned positive COVID-19 test results out of 454 players tested from Feb. 10 through Wednesday.
The NBA has postponed 30 games this season because of positive COVID-19 tests, contact tracing and quarantines. Teams this season are required to have eight players available to participate in games.
Silver on Thursday referenced critics from last year, when the league opted to play a portion of its 2019-20 campaign inside a protective bubble in Orlando, Fla., amid COVID-19, in his explanation to push forward with this year's All-Star Game.
"There were obviously those who thought we shouldn't play without fans, thought we shouldn't play in the bubble, thought we shouldn't be playing in a very serious way because of the social justice issues roiling this country," Silver told ESPN.
"So I certainly hear the other side of this issue here. And I'll lastly say it seems like no decisions during this pandemic come without uncertainty and come without risk. This is yet another one of them, and yet it's my job to balance all those interests and ultimately it feels like the right thing to do to go forward."
The NBA and players union agreed to donate more than $2.5 million to historically Black colleges and universities as part of its plan to hold the 2021 All-Star Game this year.
All-Star festivities will be condensed into a single day, instead of the typical All-Star weekend format. The weekend's usual format features a slam dunk contest, skills challenge, 3-point contest and celebrity games on separate days.
James and Durant received the most All-Star votes in their respective conferences. The remainder of the All-Star rosters will be announced at 7 p.m. EST Tuesday on TNT.
The 2021 NBA All-Star Game airs at 7 p.m. EST March 7 on TNT.
Moments from LeBron James' career
St. Vincent-St. Mary High School senior LeBron James (L) drives around a Zanesvuille defender in Akron, Ohio, on February 14, 2003. James is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. A couple months later, the Cleveland Cavaliers coach
was suspended because James worked out with the team before he graduated from high school. Photo by Tom Cammett/UPI |
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James slam dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets in Cleveland, on November 5, 2003. The Cavaliers
lost 93-89 in their home opener. Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI |
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James keeps the ball from Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Wallace in Charlotte, N.C., on November 18, 2004. Earlier that year, James
was chosen as Rookie of the Year and named to the National Basketball Association All-Rookie Team. Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI |
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (R) reaches in for the steal from James in Los Angeles on January 12, 2006. The Lakers
defeated the Cavaliers 99-98. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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James puts in a layup over Washington Wizards Jared Jeffries in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2006. Washington
defeated Cleveland 104-92. Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI |
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James looks back to the bench during a timeout in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich., on May 9, 2006. The Pistons
defeated the Cavaliers 97-91 in game two of the second round of playoffs. Later that year, James
signed a three-year extension with the Cavaliers. Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI |
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James pumps his fist during the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on March 31, 2007. The Cavaliers
won 112-108 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James smiles before the game against the New York Knicks in New York City on December 19, 2007. The Knicks
defeated the Cavaliers 108-90. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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James hits a long 3-point shot at the buzzer before halftime against the New York Knicks in New York City on March 5, 2008. James scored 50 points as the Cavaliers
defeated the Knicks 119-105. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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The United States' Jason Kidd (L to R), James and Chris Paul celebrate a win over Spain to
claim the gold medal for men's basketball during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing on August 24, 2008. The United States won 118 to 107. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI |
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Coach Dru Joyce (L to R), James and director Kristopher Belman arrive at a screening of the film "More Than A Game" in Paris on September 2, 2009. The Cavaliers had finished the previous season as the Eastern Conference's
top seed. Photo by David Silpa/UPI |
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James goes through his pregame ritual before playing against the New York Knicks in New York City on November 6, 2009. The Cavaliers
defeated the Knicks 100-91. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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James shows off his second consecutive NBA
MVP trophy before Game 2 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics in Cleveland on May 3, 2010. Photo by David Richard/UPI |
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James drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on December 25, 2010. The Heat
defeated the Lakers 96-80. After seven years playing in Cleveland, James
signed with the Miami Heat summer 2010. Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI |
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James drives to the basket during the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in Chicago on May 26, 2011. The Heat
defeated the Bulls 83-80. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James gets ready to play against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on April 12, 2012. The Bulls
defeated the Heat 96-86 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James (L) and Miami Heat teammate Dwayne Wade stand on the court while the Heat shoot free throws against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round of the NBA Playoffs in New York City on May 6, 2012. The Knicks
defeated the Heat 89-87. Later that month, James
won the NBA MVP Award for the third time. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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The United States' Tyson Chandler (L to R), Kevin Durant, James, and Westbrook Russell joke with teammates after receiving
their gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London on August 12, 2012. The United States defeated Spain to claim the gold 107-100. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI |
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President Barack Obama (R) laughs as he listens to James talk about his visit to the White House and Dwayne Wade holds an "Obama" jersey, as the Miami Heat visit the East Room in Washington, D.C., on January 28, 2013. Later that year, the Heat
won their second consecutive title. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI |
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James' shot is blocked by Brooklyn Nets Andray Blatche (C) and point guard Shaun Livingston (L) in New York City on November 1, 2013. The Nets
defeated the Heat 101-100. Photo by Rich Kane/UPI |
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James wears a jersey with his nickname, "King James," on the back against the Brooklyn Nets in New York City on January 10, 2014. The Nets
defeated the Heat 104-95 in double overtime. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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James stands on the floor during a timeout against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on March 9, 2014. The Bulls
defeated the Heat 95-88 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPi |
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James
honors the fallen Eric Garner with a T-shirt that says "I can't breathe" as he is introduced at the start of the game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York City on December 8, 2014. ***He's back on the Cavs**** UPI/Rich Kane |
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James drives the the basket as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler defends during Game 3 the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Chicago on May 8, 2015. The Bulls
defeated the Cavaliers 99-96 and lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James (L) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith laugh as they watch their teammates finish off the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Chicago on May 14, 2015 in Chicago. The Cavaliers
defeated the Bulls 94-73, winning the series 4-2 and advancing the the Eastern Conference Finals. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James fires a jump shot over Brooklyn Nets Wayne Ellington in New York City on January 20, 2016. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 91-78. In late 2015, James
ranked in the top 25 of NBA top scorers and top assisters. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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James (L) introduces Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at a campaign rally in Cleveland on November 6, 2016. Earlier in the year, James
wrote a column in support of Clinton's candidacy. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI |
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James arrives on the red carpet at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony 2016 in New York City on December 12, 2016. James
was honoredd as the 2016 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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Cast member James, back left, attends the
premiere of "Smallfoot" with his wife, Savannah,and their children, Bryce Maximus (L to R), Zhuri and LeBron Jr. in Los Angeles on September 22, 2018. James voiced the character Gwangi in the animated film. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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James participates in Lakers media day in El Segundo, Calif., on September 27, 2019. James
joined the Lakers in late 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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James continues his dribble while falling to the court against the Warriors in second quarter action in Los Angeles on November 13, 2019. The Lakers
defeated the Warriors 120-94. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI |
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The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James speaks during the Los Angeles Lakers'
ceremony to honor Kobe Bryant before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles on January 31, 2020. James, who is in his second season with the Lakers and passed Bryant to take third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list Saturday night, spoke about the death of Bryant to the crowd. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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James smiles during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Los Angeles on March 6, 2020. The Lakers defeated the Bucks 113-103. A couple months later, James and several other NBA stars had a
private conference about how to resume the season during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI |
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