Saturday, 27 Apr 2024

Silver Outlines ‘Safe and Responsible Plan’ for NBA Comeback

Adam Silver

Even as the NBA’s plan to restart the 2019-20 season takes shape, Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledges that it is an ongoing work in progress. In a media conference call on Friday, Silver, along with league executives and National Basketball Players Association leaders, discussed the comprehensive plan for resuming play on a single-site campus near Orlando. The aim is to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission by implementing strict health and safety protocols.

The NBA’s ‘New Normal’

The remainder of the season will be played at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, with all games taking place in a controlled environment, commonly referred to as a “bubble.” This concept involves players, coaches, and staff living and working under stringent health and safety measures. The NBA is collaborating with public health specialists and government officials to ensure a safe and responsible restart.

The revised format comprises 22 teams competing in eight “seeding games,” followed by a potential play-in layer for the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds. The playoffs will then proceed, culminating in the crowning of the 2020 NBA champion. However, this restart will be far from traditional. No fans will be in attendance, and participants’ families and friends will only join the bubble after the first round of the playoffs.

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Health and Safety Protocols

To mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission, daily testing will be conducted for all players, coaches, and staff members. If a player tests positive, they will enter quarantine, and medical personnel will trace their contacts. The NBA will treat a positive test as they would an injury, keeping the playoff series unaffected. However, a cluster of positive cases or a significant rise in COVID-19 cases could require real-time adjustments to the plan.

The NBA, in collaboration with Advent Health, will establish an on-site clinic within the campus. If a serious illness arises, local hospitals in the Orlando area will be available to provide necessary medical care. These measures aim to protect the health and well-being of everyone involved in the NBA’s restart.

The Road Ahead

The NBA faces a delicate balancing act as it resumes the season. Financial considerations are significant, given the substantial revenue losses resulting from the shutdown. However, the league remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of its players and addressing current social justice issues. By restarting the season, players and coaches have the opportunity to use their platform to voice their views and contribute to meaningful change.

In conclusion, the NBA’s plan to resume play represents a significant undertaking. There are concerns about potential injuries due to the unprecedented layoff and the emotional toll of living in the bubble. However, the league is confident in its comprehensive strategy, which prioritizes the safety of all participants. While the NBA believes its campus environment is safer than the outside world, it acknowledges that this is not business as usual.

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FAQs

Q: What is the plan for resuming the NBA season?

A: The NBA will complete the 2019-20 season at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, implementing a “bubble” concept. This involves players, coaches, and staff living and working in a controlled environment under strict health and safety protocols.

Q: Will fans be allowed to attend the games?

A: No, all games will be held without fans in attendance. Only after the first round of the playoffs will participants’ families and friends be permitted to join the bubble.

Q: What happens if a player tests positive for COVID-19 during the playoffs?

A: If a player tests positive, they will enter quarantine, and medical personnel will trace their contacts. The NBA will treat this situation as they would an injury and continue with the playoff series.

Q: How will the NBA address social justice issues during the restart?

A: By restarting the season, players and coaches have a platform to amplify their voices and advocate for change. The NBA aims to use this opportunity to drive meaningful social justice initiatives.

Summary

The NBA has outlined a “safe and responsible plan” to resume the 2019-20 season. Commissioner Adam Silver, along with league executives and players’ association leaders, addressed the comprehensive strategy in a media conference call. The plan involves creating a controlled environment, or “bubble,” at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Strict health and safety protocols will be in place, and all games will be played without fans. Participants’ families and friends will only join the bubble after the first round of the playoffs. Through this restart, the NBA aims to balance financial considerations with the health and safety of its players while providing a platform for social justice advocacy. The league believes it has developed a plan that prioritizes the well-being of everyone involved, acknowledging that this is not business as usual. To learn more about the NBA’s restart plan, visit Osceolagarage.com.

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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can contact him via email or find his archive and follow him on Twitter. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs, or Turner Broadcasting.