Several teams that are unable to open their facilities because of government restrictions are asking the NBA if their players can report directly to the proposed campus environment, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Sources tell Woj that the NBA is willing to work out an arrangement with those teams. Franchises located in areas where stay-at-home orders are still in effect have a large number of players who have gone elsewhere, he adds.
A timetable and other specifics to resume the season are expected to be outlined in a Board of Governors call on Friday. Sources tell Wojnarowski that teams expect to be told to begin recalling players to their markets around June 1. A few teams have talked about establishing temporary training camps at other sites before arriving in Orlando, which is now considered the likely location to finish the season.
There’s more coronavirus-related news to pass along:
- During a conference call on Thursday, the league offered few specifics about how it plans to finish the season, Wojnarowski writes in the same story. Some Board of Governors members believe the league would prefer not to bring back all 30 teams because placing more people in the bubble environment means a greater opportunity of contracting the virus. Also, there was little support for a scenario that would provide a chance to make the playoffs for the league’s worst teams. Privately, Woj states, those teams are more concerned with preserving their odds for the draft lottery and don’t want to risk injuries to their veteran players.
- This year’s induction ceremony at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame is still set for August 29, but two other dates are being considered if the virus is still prevalent, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Hall officials are willing to move the ceremony to Columbus Day weekend or to next spring. No matter what happens, the 2020 and 2021 inductions will not be combined. “I do want to make it very clear we will have a separate event for the class of 2020 because of the notoriety of that class and, frankly, every class deserves its own recognition,” CEO John Doleva said. “There is a potential next calendar year that we could have two enshrinements.”
- Former Knicks star Patrick Ewing, now the head coach at Georgetown, has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Jeff Borzello of ESPN. Ewing issued a statement urging everyone to “stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.”
Has anybody thought about what if these guys catch the virus during training camp, then what ?
Yep. Adam Silver said something along the lines of “If one positive test shuts us down, we probably shouldn’t even start up.”
Essentially, the plan is the test everyone often so that if/when positive tests occur, the infected person is isolated quickly to avoid exposing it to a bunch of players and personnel.
The real question is how many positive tests warrant a cancellation? If they start it up and there’s an outbreak, they’ll be forced to cancel the season.
Why cancel? Teams are three deep and there’s more that can be called up. Forfeits are possible. The champion will get an “asterisk” regardless by parties that do that. Perfect is the enemy of good enough.
You have to make sure to test and isolate. NBA players don’t need to be anywhere. All workers and family. Just have to quarantine till there is vaccine. It’s only for few months. Playoffs you lose you leave. They can control that. Everyone has to work together here. Make sure playoffs go well. Not like the busters. Out here no masks crying it’s a hoax. Don’t listen to Trump. Listen to science. We’ll get thru it.
My man Patrick. My prayers are with you Big Fella. Get well
Not a Knicks fan. Warriors fan since 60s. But damn I wish Ewing was a warrior. I’m happy for you Al he was a Knick tho. Cuz that man defines class. True gentleman and I’m praying with you
Doesn’t matter if they start playing again this year. The season is a over. No champion can call themselves that this year. The only option is to just get ready for next year.
Estaquirot!
If some tea ms are only worried about their draft slot, including the league office’s homer Knicks, then take the current odds as final.
How hard is that?– not hard. Obstacle removed.