The six game basketball world tour that was set to hit four different continents took a big hit today as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul all announced today that they would not participate. This comes just hours after reigning MVP Derek Rose and up-and-coming superstar Russell Westbrook pulled their names out of the competition.
Ric Bucher tweeted that he had been tipped off that Kevin Durant could be the next megastar to decline invitation.
With six of the game’s biggest names passing on the proposed tour, it leaves the question of whether or not there will actually be a tour.
Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and Dwight Howard are still committed and there are still a number of other superstars that may be interested in helping fill the eighteen man rosters for each squad.
Lockout negotiations have heated after more games were canceled earlier this week, so maybe there will not even be a need for these games anyway.
I can not help but notice that Kobe was missing in charity games LeBron and Melo had their hands in, and now they are pulling out of something that Bryant was hyping up. But maybe it is just a coincidence right?