What is Next for the NBA?

As a fan of the NBA, I want it to return as soon as possible. Before the whole situation with COVID-19 happened, I was actually engaged in the regular season for the first time in a while. Usually, I only watch the playoffs because the past 5 seasons have been Warriors vs. another team in the finals. But this season was different.

The Warriors are near the bottom of the league. Two teams in LA that play in the same arena were battling for the top seed in the West. The Greek Freak was having himself an MVP season. The East was very competitive for the first time in what seems like forever. Then it all got taken away.

Or did it? NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had a meeting with about 100 players this past weekend, over a call of course, discussing potential options for resuming the season and what the future may look like. Silver said the future looks grim, especially with the likelihood of having no fans in the arenas.

Salary caps will be affected because the league wouldn’t bring in any money from games. Next season may start in December, regardless of whether or not this season is finished. The players had a lot of questions, but as a fan, I got hopeful when I found out Silver’s potential plan for finishing the season.

The league is considering starting the playoffs in a secure location with all the games in one spot. This was good news to hear. These playoffs could be the best ever. Most players have been able to rest and recover from any injuries or soreness they have. Everyone would come out hungry and rejuvenated.

Then I thought about the players themselves. Do they want to spend every day in a hotel with no actual interaction with the outside world? Do they want to play in front of nobody? Do they want to risk it?

Yes, as a fan, I want to see slam dunks and parking lot three-pointers. But I don’t want to see a player lose their love of the game because it isn’t what they envisioned.

I don’t think Zion Williamson wants his first playoff series where he makes his push for Rookie of the Year to be in front of nobody. I don’t think LeBron James wants his family sitting at home when he plays for another title.

Silver said this may be the biggest challenge they have ever faced as a league and it would take a lot to get back to “normal”. Regardless of what our new normal may be, the safety of the players and the fans remains the number one concern as it should.

I want the league to resume. Other fans want the league to resume. The players want the league to resume. The league especially wants itself to resume. But at what cost?

Author - Cullen Tonge