NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reiterated that he "wants to try" having the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte, but he warned that legislation similar to North Carolina's HB2 law in other jurisdictions "could preclude an NBA city from hosting the event." Silver yesterday in 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" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/19). There was a promise that the game "could return" to Charlotte in '19 if the law was rescinded, but there "has been little progress." Silver: "We’d very much like to get back there" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/19). Charlotte's Spectrum Center today is hosting a "Christian music tour" for $10 at the door as well as a Hornets youth basketball clinic tomorrow (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/18). Meanwhile, a source said that the Rockets "have prepared bids" to host the game in either '20 or '21 (CHRON.com, 2/18).
Meanwhile, Silver said that he and NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts "agree that the issue of the NBA age minimum 'needs to be studied' more." Silver: "She and I both agree that it's the kind of issue that needs to be studied, in essence, outside of the bright lights of collective bargaining." Silver admitted that "revisiting the age issue is 'complex,' but he has a 'better understanding' of it now" (ESPN.com, 2/19).
Other notes from All-Star Weekend:
- Silver said he does "not regret" having a meeting with Charles Oakley and Knicks Owner James Dolan. Silver: "I did it because I thought it was helpful. And frankly, I still think it was helpful and I am still hopeful that Charles sort of will come back into the family” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/19).
- The league and NBPA "announced intentions to hold a second exhibition game in Africa" on Aug. 5 (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/19). Silver said that the goal is to "eventually have either a preseason or regular season game in Africa" (ESPN.com, 2/18).
- Warriors F Kevin Durant "plans to visit" the NBA Academy India in July, becoming the first player to do so (ESPN.com, 2/17). Kings Managing Partner Vivek Ranadive said that he wants the team to "play preseason games" in his native India by the end of the decade (ESPN.com, 2/17).
- Spurs F Pau Gasol was elected to serve on the NBPA's Exec Committee, replacing former NBAer Steve Blake (NBPA).
