NBA 2018-19: Why Kawhi Leonard should not play in the 2019 NBA All-Star game

Cleveland Cavaliers v Toronto Raptors

In the end, Leonard has to be voted or selected to the All-Star roster, for the Eastern Conference, and the decision to play will be his. If he plays in the All-Star Game, in Charlotte, on February 17th, 2019, Raptors fans can only hope it means Leonard is fully recovered from last year’s injury problems.

Raptors fans though may remember, in 2002, Vince Carter missing the remainder of the season after developing jumpers knee shortly after the All-Star game, that year. The Raptors nearly missed the playoffs with a long losing streak, as a result, of the Carter injury. The Raptors did salvage a playoff spot, in 2002, by, winning 12 of their final 14 games.

All-Star weekend is a sort of mid-season vacation, for the players. For players nursing injuries or trying to fight off the effects, of nagging injuries, should use the break, as a way, to heal and rest. Winning the MVP at the All-Star Game or performing the best dunk does not help build team chemistry or advance a player’s team aspirations for the playoffs.

If the player is hurt, in a meaningless event. The real reason why this matter is the All-Star weekend is a collection of the best players, in the game, and those players individually represent the success of many franchises, in the NBA, when they play, or the failures of those franchises when they can’t.