Damian Lillard Strikes Different Chord Than Superstar Peers On All-Star Game

LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard have expressed misgivings about the NBA holding an All-Star game. Where does Damian Lillard stand on the matter?

Damian Lillard has three children under the age of three, including month-old twins. His fiancée, Kay'La, could certainly use the help at home that the Portland Trail Blazers superstar would offer with nearly a full week of vacation in early March. Lillard readily admits he'd relish the opportunity to see extended family and friends while free from the confines of NBA coronavirus protocols, too.

Even so, he's striking a different chord than some fellow superstars when it comes to the league's controversial decision to host an All-Star game on March 7 in Atlanta. 

"If they say we’re gonna do it, I understand this is our job, and I understand that the kind of money that we make you gotta make sacrifices, and certain things just have to be done."

Lillard's reasoning is undeniably sound.

Just like the league needed to fulfill local TV contracts last season by restarting play in the Orlando bubble prior to the playoffs, and just like the legaue rushed into 2020-21 to benefit from its prime programming tradition on Christmas day, money is what's driving Adam Silver's decision-making process on the All-Star game. The risk of bringing basketball's elite to the same city for an exhibition event would be mitigated by plans for a "mini bubble" in Atlanta, too, as reported by The Athletic's Sam Amick. 

But the likes of LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard have already expressed major misgivings about the possibility of an All-Star game. With three of the game's biggest stars on the record opposed, will Silver really have momentum on his side when it comes time for a final decision?

Lillard's thoughtful remarks on the situation should make the league's messaging easier. His preference to spend that potential vacation time with family is no doubt one shared by personnel throughout the league, as are his frank concerns about Basketball Related Income–total revenue that's evenly split between owners and players–in the event of the NBA not holding an All-Star game for the first time since 1999.

The harsh realities of a billion-dollar business ensure there is no easy answer here. Given the league's radio silence in wake of James' publicly stated disapproval, though, it seems inevitable that Lillard–unfortunately for his growing family–will be in Atlanta come early March.