Internal models show an 82-game schedule and full 16-team postseason could be completed June-SeptemberNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
It is "clear that significant pockets" of the NBA "remain hopeful some semblance of a regular season can be completed before the playoffs begin," according to Dan Woike of the L.A. TIMES. One league official noted that internal models "show that an 82-game schedule and a full 16-team postseason could be completed by early September if the league were to take the court again June 1." While no one "expects the league to be playing games in a month, the desire exists to play as many games as possible." A team exec said that a "serious proposal hasn't come across the desk for a return to action that doesn't include some form of regular-season games." However, some NBA execs "view the additions of teams and games to the league's plans as creating more potential problems." It is "not clear what it would take for the league to return to action." A situation where there is "zero percent risk is impossible, no matter how tight the quarantine" (L.A. TIMES, 5/1). Meanwhile, CNBC.com's Jabari Young cited some NBA team execs and players' agents as saying that owners are "concerned with liability issues and are conflicted about whether or not to give up on the current season." Agents also are "privately calling on NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to cancel the remainder" of this season (CNBC.com, 4/30).
STAYING POSITIVE: ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski noted an "overwhelming majority" of high-level officials across the league "remain encouraged and optimistic that basketball will return this season." Still, the pathway "remains cluttered." This pandemic is "forcing leaders to probe contingencies on top of contingencies, rethinking everything and reevaluating it all again." Silver had designated today as the "date before which nothing of significance would be decided." Meanwhile, sources said that fan-less games "could rely on robotic cameras with closer, innovative angles of the action." Television play-by-play and game analysts "could call the games from remote locations." Discussions also have included teams "keeping essential personnel in the range of 30 to 35 -- including players -- on site" (ESPN.com, 4/30). Celtics Managing Partner Steve Pagliuca said Silver is "going to be patient and wait" before making a decision on the season. Silver is "looking at the data every day. He's a fact-based commissioner and monitoring the situation." The NBA has "incredible medical staff, they have access to these reports, to global reports, and they're working with city officials and state officials." They are "hoping to get the season back, but the key issue with that is will it be safe for players and fans" ("Erin Burnett OutFront," CNN, 4/30).
SAFE TO PASS? In Boston, Gary Washburn wondered, "Can the NBA really, safely resume?" Doctor of osteopathic and regenerative medicine in Santa Monica, Calif., Rand McClain said, "There are different risks that you're asking the players to assume here. That's the crux of the matter, are the players willing to assume that (medical) risk? Keeping the fans out of the stadium, that's a no-brainer." Washburn noted the NBA is "hoping some testing advancements are made in the next few weeks, which could create a climate in which players and teams feel comfortable with resumption." Hypothetically, the NBA "would like to begin clearing teams for practice later this month, and teams could conceivably spend June preparing for a truncated end of the regular season and playoffs in one location" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/30).
