The ARIZONA REPUBLIC's Duane Rankin wonders why Phoenix is not being mentioned with Orlando and Las Vegas as potential host cities where the NBA can complete the season, calling it an "ideal location." Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey yesterday announced that pro sports teams "can return to work when the stay-at-home policy expires" on Friday. Additionally, the weather in Phoenix is "ideal and the city has ample hotel accommodations to host teams" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/13).
INCENTIVE TO PLAY: In Philadelphia, Keith Pompey cites a source as saying that "small-market teams, younger teams seeking playoff experience, and NBA title contenders would like to finish the season," while other teams are "indifferent or prepared to move on to next season." Additionally, small-market teams want to finish in order to "secure TV revenue," as the threshold to receive TV revenue from RSNs "is 70 regular-season games" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 5/13).
TIME TO EXPERIMENT: In Boston, Adam Himmelsbach offers 11 suggestions for the NBA as it looks to return, including embracing the "uniqueness of the situation" and looking for "creative ways to make the game experience more interactive for television viewers." Himmelsbach: "Take some chances. Put a camera in the huddle and run it live. OK, maybe an opposing coach will hear what’s being said and use it in the future. So what? It's a basketball game" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12).
