NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke with the media ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. During his media session, he covered a wide variety of topics, shedding light on his and the league’s mindset heading into next season and beyond.
Silver admitted that the compressed schedule could have had an effect on the unusually high number of severe injuries this season, saying “I have no doubt the physical stress and mental toll has contributed to injuries,” (Twitter link via USA Today’s Mark Medina).
Silver also introduced the topic of an internal clock, saying because NBA players are used to playing within a certain time-frame in a given year, changing that time-frame radically could have an effect on injuries. He admitted that, given the extraordinary circumstances, it’s hard to say whether the choices the league made were the right ones, tweets Medina.
“Quite frankly,” Silver said, “we might not know for quite a while after this pandemic is over, whether we made the right decision or not.”
Silver also discussed the Raptors, who – given the U.S./Canada border restrictions – had to play out this season in Tampa. According to Marc Stein (Twitter link), Silver said it’s “unclear” if the Raptors will be able to return to Toronto for next season, but that the team and the league are hopeful.
On the topic of black and female representation, both among coaching staffs and around the league, Silver was adamant that the league most look to improve itself. “It’s something that requires daily attention,” Medina quotes Silver as saying. “We’re not gonna rest on our laurels.”
“It’s a little bit frustrating,” Silver continued. “It’s an area you look around here, and you’d like to see more representation here with all aspects of our business.”
Silver was optimistic about the continued existence of the play-in tournament, which has been a ratings success over the last two seasons. “It’s my expectation we’ll continue it for next season,” Silver said (Twitter link via Brian Lewis of The New York Post). Silver added that the decision is pending an agreement between the players’ union and the teams, and that some players, including LeBron James, were not a fan of the tournament.
Finally, on the topic of league expansion, Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated tweets that Silver says “it’s not at the top of the agenda right now,” but that he’ll continue to consider at the topic.
Darn I was hoping to hear a little more about expansion. I personally would love to see Seattle get a team
Everyone always talks about Seattle having the Sonics stolen from them, but a lot of people don’t remember that the Kentucky Colonels were screwed far worse in 1976. The ABA had six teams remaining, but the NBA only wanted four. The Nets were obvious as a NY team. The Spurs and Nuggets had good ownership and were guarantees. And the Spirits of St. Louis volunteered to fold in exchange for one of the greatest money deals of all time. It all came down to the Colonels vs. the Pacers and the NBA chose Indiana through some arguably shady dealings.
Kentucky deserves their Colonels back as much if not more than Seattle deserves their Sonics back.
Allowing a team two play in two cities would help expand market sizes. Louisville or south of Cincinnati?— how about both?
I think southern Ohioans would support a northern KY NBA team. Not likely a Louisville team.
A Missouri team would be the best example. KC & St.L
I think Cincinnatians would support a Louisville team. There is not much animosity between Cincy and Louisville. The Reds AAA team is the Louisville Bats and a lot of Ohioans (and myself) travel to the games regularly.
But to your point, the Kings did have a two city stint with KC and Omaha. And the Hornets (now Pelicans) had their two city stint with NO and OKC, albeit for a different reason.
Although honestly I would prefer the team to switch between Louisville and Lexington instead of Cincinnati. Lexington is a much smaller city, but is basketball crazy and routinely packs Rupp Arena for UK against even the no name schools.
The Cincinnatians that I recall when I lived there would probably not even support a Dayton-based team! The problem with Louisville is the proximity to Indianapolis, and the Pacers could get a lawsuit going about that that the Cavs could not. And Lexington having the Wildcats takes the sympathy sentiment away.
Cincy built a lovely airport to make Kentucky rich… the Colonels would repay them for that… and also suck up more Cincy dollars!
Louisville is further away from Indianapolis than Chicago is from Milwaukee. I really don’t think the distance would be an issue. Not to mention the fact that LA and NY both share two teams.
And while I believe Cincy would support the Colonels, especially when the alternative is the Cavs, I don’t think they would be happy hosting a team called the Kentucky Colonels.
PS – nothing about Kentucky is rich other than the Derby pie.
The problem for Louisville isn’t so much the distance as it is the college team that shares the arena. The Lousiville Cardinals lobbied to keep the NBA away because they want sole control. KC is alot further away from any NBA team than Louisville is with Indy and Memphis probably too.
Reasonable points. To be honest, KC wouldn’t be a bad choice. Obviously I am biased, since I live in Kentucky, but I believe that the NBA would do better simply because they would be the only game in town in the whole state of Kentucky. In KC, they would have to share the wealth with both the Chiefs and Royals.
MSAs
Louisville 1.20m
Lexington .75m
northKY(Cin.) .47m
rest of Cin. 2.28m
Dayton .80m
I see the Colonals based among the half-million people in northern KY, able to draw the 3.1 million in SW Ohio and not being much farther for the 4.51m Kentuckians to travel to than Louisvil.
Luvil is just not big enough and already has the Cardinals. SW Ohio is not big enough either. But KY+ SW Ohio= 7.52m
Cincy folks got real active with their soccer team for some reason, and the MLS took it, despite proximity to the Columbus Crew.
Other expansion sites:
Vegas has 2.23m; Nevada total 3.10m.
KC MSA, 2 states, has 2.09m.
Kansas 2.89m, Missouri 6.16m, ttl 9.05m.
Seattle MSA, 3 counties, 3.98m
KC has a very underrated market because you’d presumably pull most of Kansas and Missouri, and then Omaha and a chunk of Iowa too. That’s several million right there. It would be similar to the market the Chiefs have, which is biiiig
KC and St. Louis would never share a team. Those cities hate eachother, first of all, and KC has much better facilities and arena for it.
More to the point, St. Louis already is hosting an NHL team in the winter and doesn’t even have an NBA ready venue. KC would just get the full team.
KC then, and high on the list.
Kentucky might deserve it more but they still need an ownership group willing to build and run a NBA franchise.
I agree with you but I’m not sure it’s an easy path for an owner.
He already said the Sonics are coming back.
Seattle and Las Vegas are the two best fits for the NBA expansion.
They have the infrastructure to build and support a team.
Then they can put Minny and Memphis in the eastern conference.
And then Pelicans move to KC and you have another team moving to actual Western conference city too. Solves it all.
I would like to see Portland and New Orleans get professional basketball teams
While I’m all for increased representation; the lack therof does not always equal something sinister.
On another note, I’m sick of these athletes crying about petty stuff . After all this “load management” now some of them are crying about the condensed schedule. First it was the “owner” word controversy, then the shirts with the ridiculous words on it, now it’s the schedule. I’m glad some of these guys are so socially active in the community but there comes a point where they just look like a bunch of frauds.
Expansion in the nba right now isn’t a good idea.
Next year then.
Agreed. I think going to 32 teams in inevitable, but that topic is likely a few years down the road.
From reports we’ve read, the NBA is likely expanding in summer of 2022. right after this upcoming season. They need the money for COVID financial losses, and Vegas/Seattle already have the ownership group lined up
Here’s what will happen:
Expansion in summer of 2022 will put teams in Seattle & Las Vegas
In 2024, New Orleans will relocate to KC.
Thank you Nostradamus.
I’m from San Francisco, never been to KC, but used to work in New Orleans. What a freaking GREAT city!!! I guess maybe BB players just don’t appreciate it like I did!
The thinking is that if New Olreans doesn’t get better by 2023, they will leave because their arena is outdated, the market is too small, and the team is losing a ton of money. KC has a great venue, great location that needs a team in that area, great sports market. Other cities without a team are either too close to another NBA team or don’t have the proper venue, so I assume KC
Seattle is a lock for a team, but my next option would go to San Juan… & believe me it is not close to any other big city… & that would be the greatest business decision the league can do, I mean any fan in the league would love to go watch a game in SJ durin’ the dreary winter months, right? Also would be such a hook for the Hispanic market both in the US & in the rest of Latin countries!!! That is a win win situation, right?
It’s not just about the city. It’s about having the right venue, and having that venue in a great location. That’s why Oakland, San Diego and all those other cities lost their football teams
Of course the players and especially LeGone will veto any new ideas that includes playing more games. These soft players can barely play back to back or over 50 games a season!
The NBA is doomed because these players got too much saying on everything!! The NFL got a better system that reward players but keep them in check on same time while the NBA is run by spoiled little brats!
I like that the players have a voice it makes them interesting unlike JJ Watt who is very borong
When you making 30 millions a year, live in a mansion in Beverly Hills with bodyguards and cameras, politics should be the last thing you talk about!
These people are part of the elite, they got no idea what an ordinary person has to go through just to make a living while raising kids! Everybody think they genius and knew it all just because they score a bucket!
U think 50 games isnt tough look at the UFC they think they tough but only fight 1 times per year. So what would u rather have? Why do you love Kk watt?
UFC is violent sport that leads to serious injuries unlike today’s soft NBA where you can score 50 points a game while earning half from the free throw line. Also don’t be calling a brother a KK just because he minds on his business!! I can’t believe this snowflake!
It was just a typo! relax. So you’re saying you want NBA to be a violent sport that leads to injuries? Do you like basketball or just fightong
Interesting comparison.
The NFL spits out players the fastest with the most brain injuries.
They literally destroy many of their players.
The question of whether the right decisions were made about the season, in terms of injuries, does NOT follow naturally from the question of whether more injuries occurred. Thinking that it does simply causes the league to lie stupidly (probably on advice of lawyers) on the lack of statistical support for there being more injuries. There were more injuries, liars.
But this was expected by everyone; predicted by anyone who predicts. There was going to be more absences given conditions that includes covid. Is Silver really anticipating lawsuits?— but participation was optional and most players are rich. I’m sick of players complaining about what everyone has to go through. It’s a pandemic and most have it worse.
Adam Silver and David Stern look a lot like the alien jewelers from Men in Black.
Silver needs one of those Phil Spector wigs!
I don’t know about Stern but Adam Silver looks like a reincarnation of Nosferatu