All major sports are beginning to seriously address how they can get their seasons going again
While the coronavirus pandemic is still hitting a number of states strongly, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is working on a possible restart of this year’s games. Silver has laid out a few options for players to come back to the court, and he explained it all during an hour-long call on May 8. The call also featured the NBPA executive director, Michael Roberts, its president Chris Paul and several players.
This is in no way is a confirmation of the NBA’s return to the game, as the season continues to be suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing global pandemic. However, NBA officials have been exploring multiple scenarios in which basketball action could be resumed. According to ESPN, Silver has no problem waiting until next month to make a decision regarding this season to determine if it can be resumed at all. Silver added that perhaps a more practical way would be to play in just one or two neutral venues, but without spectators. These venues could include Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
“There’s no point in adding risk for flying all of you city to city if there’s not going to be fans,” Silver said. “We think it would be safer to be in a single location, or two locations, to start.” Additionally, Silver added that some for of play-in tournament might be needed to determine the teams going to the playoffs; however, the postseason should follow the traditional best-of-seven series. The NBA is already preparing 15,000 tests to detect COVID-19, so the hope is that if a player tests positive, the league won’t have to shut down again.
