Luka Kornet has recorded 356 shot blocks during his nine years in the NBA. Recently, he managed to block an entire event.
Last week, Kornet spoke out against the Atlanta Hawks’ planned event on March 16, which was meant to honor the Magic City strip club. Following his remarks, the NBA decided to cancel the promotion. NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned concerns from various stakeholders, with Kornet’s blog playing a role in the decision.
Kornet’s Unique Shot-Blocking Technique
Kornet is known for a technique he calls “The Eclipse” or the “Kornet Kontest.” While with the Boston Celtics, he would contest shots by jumping straight up, focusing on blocking the shooter’s view of the basket rather than just trying to block the shot itself.
Kornet’s views also seem to have influenced public opinion regarding the Hawks’ event. The game against the Orlando Magic was set to include a live podcast featuring Hawks owner Jami Gertz, rapper T.I., and Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney.
The event wasn’t going to include dancers from the club but offered exclusive “Magic City” hoodies for sale and featured the club’s famous wings — one flavor named after former Hawks player Lou Williams. T.I. was also slated to perform during halftime.
In the past week, former Hawks player Al Horford supported Kornet’s position, sparking a national discussion on whether honoring a strip club aligns with the NBA’s family-friendly image. Kornet expressed that the event was disrespectful to many female employees within the league.
The NBA should aim to respect and uphold the dignity of women who work hard to support the league. It is essential to create a safe environment that honors all women in our lives.
Commissioner Silver’s Response
NBA commissioner Adam Silver seemed to share Kornet’s concerns or was influenced by the ongoing critique of the event.