Adam Silver’s earlier decision to shut down the league in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 has finally come to an end. The NBA’s 3-month hiatus will be terminated in July, as the league has announced that a 22-team format is set to return to play next month at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. But while the return of play would without a doubt be a revolutionary accomplishment, much uncertainty and potential issues pose as challenges to the plan.
In a conference call last month, Silver told the players that he was displeased to suspend play, but that he “would be proud of finding a path that was safe and as risk-free as possible for us to play.” These words, which were once just a hopeful possibility, are now turning into an unprecedented plan of action. Yet what seemingly appears as a concrete, finalized plan to return to play, might not be as reliable as we think.
Plenty of risks rise to the forefront. First and foremost, COVID-19’s spikes and drops are unpredictable. Furthermore, we are three months into this pandemic and crucial unknowns still exist. Scientists and strategic planners are working around the clock to find a cure for this plague and some are even operating under a plan that involves “known unknowns,” a plan that acknowledges the unknown variables that trail alongside COVID-19’s deadly path.
To achieve such a plan to its success, players will be required to follow a strict schedule. First, nightly coronavirus testing will be mandated for all athletes. Almost 10,000 total tests will be used, and a positive test will force a player to quarantine for at least a week. Players in the league will be shielded from the Virus as best as possible in the campus’ secluded “bubble.” The bubble plan will be set at a capacity of 1,600 people, so as the tournament progresses and teams ae eliminated, family members will be allowed to join. Any active member in the bubble, whether an athlete, coach, or family member will also be prohibited from leaving the bubble. It is odd to note, however, that testing for banned substances will reportedly not occur in Orlando.
Unfortunately, our team favorites might not be in action during this resumed plan of play and team rosters will be more flexible than ever. Kevin Durant has already declared that he will not be playing this season and with Kyrie Irving’s recent surgery ruling him out, the Nets’ roster is looking different than past seasons. Unlike Durant, Irving might accompany the team in Orlando. And if players do contract COVID-19 then a system for injured or sick players might permit teams to sign replacement players, those likely to have been on training camp, G League, or NBA contracts, and they will be chosen during a specified period of time. Furthermore, replaced athletes might lose eligibility for the remainder of the season.
A proposed schedule has been set to begin on June 15th, forcing all players to return to the US for COVID-19 testing a week later. After testing, training camp will begin on June 30th, teams will travel to Orlando on July 7th, and the season will ultimately resume on July 31st. Players will begin receiving full paychecks after taking a 25% pay reduction last month. Moreover, the league finalized dates for the NBA Draft Lottery, NBA Draft, and the start of free agency, which will take place on August 25th, October 15th, and October 18th, respectively.
How teams will prepare in such a short period of time will be interesting to watch… some have reopened their facilities while others have not. And with so many uncontrollable factors amidst a temperamental contagion and social and racial injustice issues, the league’s meticulous plans will require even further developments.
So, I guess the question stands: will the plan’s projected success outweigh the risk? Only time will tell.
Sources:
on court with steph 