Kupchak believes the restart is worth another season of experience for participating playersNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Hornets President of Basketball Operations & GM Mitch Kupchak said that the competitive disadvantage his team feels for not being part of the NBA’s restart and not being allowed to practice as a group this summer is akin to "maybe 1 1/2 seasons missed," according to Rick Bonnell of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Kupchak said, “We’re trying to keep them, as best we can, interested. Just imagine that all you can do is take jump shots for five months. That’s all you’re allowed to do. That’s going to get boring. It’s hard to keep their interest.” Kupchak believes that the practice and game time other developing teams got by being part of the NBA's restart in Orlando is worth "at least an extra season of experience for those young players." Kupchak: “If nothing comes about for us, and we start our season in December or whatever, when our players step on the court that will become the beginning of their second season. For the teams in Orlando, when they step back on their court, it will be basically the feeling of a third season.” Bonnell noted those players "could go nine months or more without any group activities at the Hornets’ training facility in Spectrum Center" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/15).
TOP OF MIND: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman wrote T'Wolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas "didn’t sugarcoat ... the disappointment the team had in not being allowed to participate in the NBA bubble in Orlando." But he said that the league "will make it right." Rosas: “The league recognizes our need to be able to have an extended runway as we work during the offseason and prepare for next season. I have been very vocal about it. (Owner) Glen (Taylor) has been very vocal about it. And the league has been receptive." He added, "Along with the other seven teams that are not in Orlando, we’re working together to get the safest, healthiest and most effective platform to get our guys back to training, working and playing" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/16).
