Ayrton Oneill
The NBA has been working on a plan to resume the 2019-2020 season, which was halted in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Various resumption formats have been discussed, including playing in a single location like Las Vegas or Orlando, or in multiple locations like Florida and Las Vegas. While some are optimistic about the league's resumption, others have expressed concerns about the health and safety of the players, staff, and fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| NBA resuming season | Yes, but no timeline |
| NBA resuming season location | Florida, Las Vegas |
| NBA resuming season format | All games played at a single site |
| NBA resuming season challenges | Risk of players getting sick, impact on next season |
| NBA players' views | Mixed |
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What You'll Learn
Contingency plans for the NBA to resume
The NBA is reportedly working on a plan to salvage the remainder of the 2019-20 season and hold the NBA Finals. The league has considered numerous contingency plans, including shortening the early playoff series from best-of-seven to best-of-five and cancelling some or all of the remaining regular-season games.
The NBA could also take its cue from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), which is considering bringing all teams together to play in one or two cities simultaneously in empty arenas. This would allow the completion of the regular season and finals competitions, with the hope that fans would be allowed in the stands by the time the finals are held.
The NBA has also discussed the possibility of using specific hubs to keep players isolated and limit travel, with Las Vegas and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as potential locations. This "bubble city" approach would involve gathering all 30 teams in one location, although some believe that it might not make sense to bring all the teams into that bubble.
There is also an increasing belief among NBA front offices that the 2020/21 season could start in January, as a later start date would make it more likely that fans will be allowed back into arenas.
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Charles Barkley's optimism about the NBA resuming
Charles Barkley, the NBA Hall of Famer, expressed his optimism about the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season. He said, "I'm 100 percent sure we're going to play. I know my friends in Major League Baseball are going to play. I know that the hockey league is going to play. I think the pro football and the college football, they have to sit back and see how it goes for us." Barkley's comments came amid swirling rumors about the league resuming and followed a conference call with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, which resulted in growing optimism among owners about the potential to safely restart the season.
Barkley's certainty about the resumption of the NBA season was based on his conversations with his bosses at Turner, who had indicated that basketball would indeed be played. He stated, "I do know this, talking to my bosses at Turner: We're going to play basketball. It's gonna be in Florida and Vegas, or just Florida." However, Barkley also acknowledged the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, particularly the risk of infection among players and the potential impact on the NBA postseason. He suggested that teams with players testing positive should be eliminated from the playoffs to prevent further spread of the virus.
The NBA had been exploring various options for restarting the season, including housing all players, coaches, and staff in the same city, with Las Vegas and Disney World in Florida as potential locations. The league was also considering a play-in tournament to give more teams a chance to qualify for the playoffs. While there were logistical challenges and uncertainties, the NBA was committed to finding a safe and feasible way to resume the season, with the health and wellbeing of players as a top priority.
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The possibility of playing in fan-less arenas
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on sports leagues around the world, including the National Basketball Association (NBA). As the league navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic, there was much speculation about its resumption and the possibility of playing in fan-less arenas.
The NBA explored various options to salvage the remainder of the 2019-20 season and hold the NBA Finals. One idea that gained traction was the possibility of playing games in empty arenas without fans. This proposal aimed to limit the exposure of players and staff to the coronavirus while still allowing the games to resume.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggested that the NBA could consider a similar approach to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), which was exploring the idea of bringing all teams together to play in one or two cities simultaneously in empty arenas. The CBA's plan included a round-robin format that would facilitate the completion of the regular season and finals competitions.
While the NBA considered playing in fan-less arenas, the idea was met with resistance by some players, notably LeBron James. James expressed his disapproval of playing in empty arenas, stating, "I ain't playing if I ain't got the fans in the crowd... I play for the fans. That's what it's all about." James' stance highlighted the importance of fan presence and engagement in the NBA experience.
Despite James' reluctance, the NBA moved forward with preparations for the possibility of playing in fan-less arenas. The league sent a memo to teams, offering recommendations to reduce the risk of virus transmission. These recommendations included identifying essential personnel, implementing temperature checks, and minimizing contact with autograph seekers.
The NBA's exploration of playing in fan-less arenas during the COVID-19 pandemic showcased the league's adaptability and commitment to resuming gameplay while prioritizing the health and safety of all involved.
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The impact of COVID-19 on the resumption timeline
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the basketball world, causing cancellations, postponements, and a halt to the sport at all levels, from professional leagues to college and youth competitions. As the pandemic unfolded, various basketball organizations navigated the challenges and explored ways to resume play safely, adapting to the new circumstances.
In the early stages of the pandemic, live sports were nearly non-existent, and leagues sought ways to return to the court. The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) experienced disruptions, with games initially halted in January 2020, and resumption dates pushed back multiple times. The NBA also faced similar challenges, with discussions of potential resumption dates in April or May 2020, but these plans were dependent on getting COVID-19 under control.
To salvage the 2019-20 season, the NBA explored contingency plans, including the idea of gathering all teams in a single location, such as Las Vegas, Orlando, or Nevada, and playing in fan-less arenas. This "bubble" concept gained traction, and the NBA successfully resumed and finished the season inside a bubble environment, with no COVID-19 cases reported. The resumption brought much-needed distraction and entertainment to fans in self-isolation and contributed to the rebuilding of the economy.
The resumption timeline was influenced by several factors, including the development of safety protocols, testing, and health monitoring for players, staff, and guests. Before play could resume, comprehensive guidelines were established, including temperature checks, COVID-19 symptom checks, and blood oxygen saturation measurements. The NBA also implemented a bubble environment, isolating players and essential staff, and requiring constant testing and monitoring to ensure the safety of all involved.
While the NBA successfully resumed its season within a bubble, public opinion varied regarding the resumption of live sports during the pandemic. A survey in April 2020 indicated that 55% of respondents believed that sports organizations should wait until the pandemic was contained and it was safe for fans to attend before resuming events. Nevertheless, the resumption of basketball provided an escape for many during those challenging times, and the NBA's experience offered valuable insights into navigating sports during a global health crisis.
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Criticism of the NBA's leadership during social unrest
The NBA has been criticised for its handling of social unrest and its commitment to free speech activism. In the past, the league has been perceived as supportive of free expression when it is deemed beneficial for business. However, during periods of social unrest, the NBA has been accused of prioritising profits over social issues.
During the social unrest of 2020, the NBA faced opposition to its plan to resume the 2019-20 season. The league's decision to continue playing basketball amid ongoing social issues was seen by some as putting "the almighty dollar ahead of worldwide health and social unrest." Additionally, players organised calls to discuss taking a stand and unifying their response to the league's plans.
The NBA's response to social unrest has also been criticised as inauthentic and motivated by public pressure rather than a genuine commitment to free speech principles. While the league initially supported activist messaging, with social justice slogans displayed on courts and players' jerseys, this support was short-lived. As television ratings for NBA games declined, the league reverted to discouraging players from political commentary, echoing the sentiment expressed by Fox News Channel commentator Laura Ingraham: "shut up and dribble."
Furthermore, the NBA's commitment to free speech activism has been questioned, with critics arguing that it ends when the bottom line is at stake. The league's highest-profile player, LeBron James, and team, the Lakers, won the NBA finals during the social unrest, but the ratings were notably low. Some observers attributed this to the politically and culturally charged atmosphere surrounding the games, suggesting that fans prefer to watch "just good basketball itself."
Overall, the NBA's leadership during social unrest has faced criticism for appearing to prioritise profits over social issues and for its inconsistent support for free speech activism among players.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no clear answer to this question. Some sources claim that the NBA is determined to have a champion and that it will resume its season in late July or early August. However, others believe that the NBA doesn't have a chance to resume play.
There are several plans being considered by the NBA to resume the season. One plan involves gathering all the teams in a single location, such as Las Vegas, to play in empty arenas. Another option is to follow the Chinese Basketball Association's (CBA) lead and bring all teams together in one or two cities to play in a "round-robin" format.
One of the main challenges to resuming the NBA season is the risk of players getting sick. If another player tests positive for COVID-19, the season would likely be suspended again. There are also concerns about the impact of resuming play on the fight for social justice, with some believing that playing basketball will only benefit team owners financially and divert attention from the issues at hand.
Yes, Charles Barkley is one prominent player who is optimistic about the resumption of the NBA season. He has stated that he is “100 percent sure” that the league will resume play.
Florida and Las Vegas have been mentioned as potential host sites for NBA games. Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida, is one of the locations being considered.
