Providing teams and players with two weeks notice won’t be nearly enough to resume the season, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reports.
Many team officials believe players will need at least a month to get ready for action after such a long layoff. A shorter period of training, workouts and practice could lead to a host of injuries, according to athletic training staff members and executives interviewed by Holmes.
The time required for player to get their bodies into “basketball shape” is one of the major hurdles the league must clear in order to finish the 2019-20 season.
Training facilities around the league have been closed for several weeks. Teams have provided players with workout programs and equipment but some of them don’t even have access to a basket.
With financial losses piling up during the suspension of play, there could be a greater sense of urgency to get teams back on the court. That could limit the gap between preparations and games.
If the league decides to cancel the remainder of the regular season and go straight to the playoffs, the players’ bodies would need an even longer time to adjust.
“I need these guys pushing their bodies for at least 30 days prior to the first meaningful basketball game,” an unnamed GM told Holmes. “And by meaningful basketball game, I mean a postseason game.”
The league, the Players’ Association and health officials would have to agree on a timeline that serves all parties, Holmes adds.
Cancel it already.
Give people their damn money back for the tickets they’ve bought, friggin thieves. People are laid off and have hungry kids. Greed, greed, greed
they likely have 6-8 home games left. season ticket holders are likely looking at an average of 1 grand. I don’t think NBA owners are being overly greedy.
also if you bought tickets from 3rd party its them not the teams
No it isn’t. They give Ticketmaster the ok to refund when the cancel the games instead of postponing
Obviously the NBA doesn’t know which games are canceled yet.
What happened to working out at home to stay in shape? With modern fitness tech you would think they would stay ready.
Hard to shoot hoops and go for a run when you live in an apartment. Not every player has a 7 million dollar home.
S0me guys are quarantined in cold cities with no weights. How are they supposed to stay in shape?
Buy Weights
Get outside & Run
What else are they doing? They’re professional athletes. Outdoors is safer than a grocery or some homes, if there’s any traffic.
Should only need 2 weeks to be ready to play. Can also bring in their G League teams for better game type environment for scrimmages.
Lot of equipment fit in apartments these days. Even if it means no dining room.
Shooting and chemistry will be the biggest issue.
Every team is on equal ground for a reboot.