World All-Star six-game exhibition tour postponed for an indefinite period: NBA News
With no NBA games expected to be played in the near future, the fans were hoping for some excitement from the whirlwind adventure of a six-game exhibition tour which was scheduled to start off on Sunday in Puerto Rico.
However, it seems like the fans have to wait for another indefinite period to witness the basketball event that was slated to be played in four different continents of the world.
According to reports, the six-game tour, which was supposed to feature a star-studded cast of NBA players, has been postponed for an indefinite period.
The last five games on the tour, planned for London, Macau and Australia, were already pushed back until late in November. However there were still hopes that the All-Star opener will be played as per plan on 30th October in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ric Bucher of ESPN reported on Friday
“The six-game, four-continent World All-Star Classic exhibition tour featuring two squads of All-Star NBA players is on hold, with Sunday’s scheduled game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, postponed indefinitely, sources said.
The other five games on the tour, scheduled for London, Macau and Australia, already had been pushed back until late November, sources said. There was hope the game in San Juan could be salvaged and serve as proof to the other venues and investors that Atlanta businessman Cal Darden and his son, Cal, Jr., were capable of pulling off the event.”
The excitement of the exhibition tour started to fade away for many fans when initially Chicago Bulls reigning MVP Derrick Rose and Oklahoma City Thunder’s point guard Russell Westbrook withdrew their participation even before the official announcement of the tour was made. The departure of the duo followed three more big names LeBron James of Miami Heat, Carmelo Anthony of New York Knicks and Chris Paul of New Orleans Hornets, who pulled out of the event a day after.
Orlando Magic’s centre Dwight Howard also reportedly backed down Kevin Durant’s participation was in doubt as well. The reason for the postponement of the grandiose event seems to be the non-availability of these stars players. However, now when an action less November has become a reality, it will be interesting to see, whether this venture gains momentum again.
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