James said that he plays for the fans and if they are not there, he won't be playingNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Lakers F LeBron James led a chorus of NBA players this weekend when said he "ain't playing" if fans are not allowed to attend NBA games due to coronavirus, according to Tania Ganguli of the L.A. TIMES. James, following his team's win against the Bucks on Friday, said, "That's who I play for. I play for my teammates, I play for the fans. That's what it's all about. So if I show up to the arena and there aren't no fans in there? I ain't playing. So, they can do what they want to do" (L.A. TIMES, 3/8). Magic G Evan Fournier said, "Playing without fans, I don't think it's going to happen. It would be so weird. If it gets that bad, then you might as well tell us to stay home and wait until this is over" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/9). Bulls G Zach LaVine said barring fans would "take a little bit of some competitiveness out," because fans and the atmosphere "make a big thing about the game" (NBCSPORTSCHICAGO.com, 3/7). Celtics G Kemba Walker: "That would be boring. They might as well cancel the whole game before that. That would suck" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/8). Meanwhile, Heat C Bam Adebayo said it "would be boring" to play without fans present. F Solomon Hill shared the same sentiment but said, "You want to make sure everybody is protected" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/8). Pelicans F Nicolo Melli: "Whatever we have to do, we are going to do it. Health is a priority" (NOLA.com, 3/7).
SANITATION NATION: In Sacramento, Jason Anderson noted the Kings are "coordinating with the NBA and health officials to implement precautionary measures at Golden 1 Center to protect players, employees and fans." The Kings said that the entire arena is "sanitized after every game, concert and event, including player and staff spaces." The team also is "providing additional hand-sanitizing stations throughout the arena as well as hand-sanitizer wipes at Guest Services locations on the Plaza and Bridge levels" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/8).
LOW TURNOUT: The Sharks announced that 14,694 tickets were distributed for yesterday's home game against the Avalanche, the "second-lowest total of the season after 14,517 tickets were distributed" for last Thursday's game against the Wild (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 3/9). In Seattle, Larry Stone writes he "can't remember an event in my lifetime with the potential to have a greater impact on the world of athletics." This virus is "shutting down events in every corner of the globe." Every fan must decide for themselves "whether it's worth the risk of sharing close quarters with thousands of strangers for the purpose of rooting on their team in person" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/8).
