NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Saturday reiterated that he "wants to try" hosting an NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte, at the same time warning that legislation similar to North Carolina's HB2 in other jurisdictions "could preclude an NBA city from hosting the event," according to Candace Buckner of the WASHINGTON POST. Silver, speaking at his State of the League address, said, "I’m not ready to draw ... lines. Clearly, though, the laws of the state, ordinances and cities are a factor we look at in deciding where to play our All-Star Games" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/18). In Boston, Gary Washburn noted there was a promise that the All-Star Game "could return" to Charlotte in '19 if the law was rescinded, but so far under new Gov. Roy Cooper there has been "little progress." Silver: "We have a team in North Carolina. We have a development team, soon to be a G-League team, in North Carolina. And 20 other teams will visit North Carolina this season. So we’d very much like to get back there." Silver said of a conversation he had with Cooper, "My main purpose of talking to him was to express our desire to return next year. In terms of laws in other jurisdictions, it’s something we continue to monitor very closely" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/19). In Charlotte, Katherine Peralta noted Spectrum Center yesterday was hosting a "Christian music tour" for $10 at the door, as well as a Hornets youth basketball clinic today (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/18).
PUTTING OTHER STATES ON NOTICE? In Houston, Jonathan Feigen cited a source as saying that the Rockets "have prepared bids" to host either the '20 or '21 All-Star Weekend (CHRON.com, 2/18). However, ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk noted Silver "put Texas and any other state considering legislation similar to North Carolina's controversial 'bathroom bill' on 'notice.'" Silver: "I'm not ready to stand here today and say that that is the bright line test for whether or not we will play All-Star Games in Texas. (But) it's something we're, of course, going to monitor very closely. What we've stated is that our values, our league-wide values in terms of equality and inclusion are paramount to this league." Youngmisuk noted another political issue that "could be problematic for the NBA" is President Trump's recent executive order on immigration. Silver said, "I do have concern about travel bans. ... We are a business based on global mobility." He added, "Government restrictions on travel, I am concerned about. It goes against the fundamental values and the fundamental ingredients of what make for a great NBA, and that is the very best in the world coming here" (ESPN.com, 2/18). In Toronto, Doug Smith wrote under the header, "The NBA Finds A Need To Lead On Social Issues." Silver reiterated Saturday that the league's values "are sacrosanct, especially when it comes to its marquee events" (TORONTO STAR, 2/19).
HEAT CHECK: In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman noted despite a desire by both the Heat and the NBA to "play the event in South Florida, it appears the NBA All-Star Game will remain a distant memory." Heat President Eric Woolworth said that hotel availability and the scheduling of other events make President's Day Weekend a "particularly challenging puzzle." With the Miami Int'l Boat Show and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival annually held during the weekend, Woolworth said that it "likely would require a shifting of those dates or the dates of the NBA's All-Star Weekend to accommodate the event in South Florida." Woolworth added that there had "been discussion with the NBA about a possible shift of the All-Star date." Woolworth: "We talked to them about trying to change the weekend, but I just don't think that works for them" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/18).
