NBA Lockout: All-Star Exhibitons Distract Players and Pose Possible Risks

With ESPN reporting that a group of 18 NBA All-Stars, including the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard and more, will be embarking on a two-week, six-game tour, it is the latest NBA All-Star-led exhibition series that could signal big trouble for NBA players.

With the tour slated to begin this Sunday in Puerto Rico, and travels to a total of four continents, it means labor talks involving any big names will not happen until November 10th, at the earliest; meaning even more games cancelled going forward.

Sure, the players don't have to be there for a deal to strike, but the All-Stars are the ones who have been there at every meeting debating the bigger problems plaguing a deal, so any kind of serious talks will most likely have to wait until the tour's conclusion.

It is obvious this is a plot to show owners that the players are the attraction, that the players bring in the dollars, and without them the owners have no product.

After the All-Star tour ends it is possible some of the players partaking in the tour will also take part in Allen Iverson's exhibition series in Las Vegas November 12-13, which will also keep players' minds off the talks. But these games are helping them stay in playing shape for if, and when, the NBA season commences.

One has to wonder when a major star is going to be injured in one of these events, as there seems to be a new one popping up every week. And obviously, with the more games that are played, the likelihood grows.

It is time for the players to buckle down and meet with the owners as much as possible. No, I'm not putting blame on the players for the lengthy holdout, but the more the two sides meet full throttle, the better. And stop wasting valuable time playing in these games that don't mean anything in the long run.

Yes the games are compelling for fans around the world, but nothing beats an actual NBA game. The players should save these exhibition games for the summer, after a real season of basketball is over and done with.