:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66790892/1193013003.jpg.0.jpg)
The NBA Board of Governors held a call with commissioner Adam Silver Tuesday, and the takeaway per reporting from ESPN is that there is optimism regarding resuming the 2019-20 season. A decision is expected to be made within the next month. There is no indication of whether that resumption would begin with regular-season games or postseason play.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver told Board of Governors today that he is aiming for a 2-to-4 week timetable on the decision about whether to resume season, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 13, 2020
In order to reduce health risks, the NBA is likely to use a bubble in Las Vegas or Disney World to house its personnel and play games. For now, the league is getting “comfortable” with the idea of continuing operations even if an individual tests positive for the coronavirus, unlike other leagues internationally, such as KBO (Korea Baseball Organization), which plans to take a three-week break if there is a positive test. Presumably, the league is taking into account how the players who have already had coronavirus responded and recovered from the illness.
An anonymous poll was conducted by representatives of the NBPA earlier Tuesday asking players if they wanted the season to start again. The results indicated “overwhelming” support for a safe restart. A smaller group of superstars, including the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, held a call Monday to discuss the subject, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo. They arrived at a similar conclusion:
Toward the end of the call discussing the ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic, all parties were in agreement to take the court with proper safety measures once the league is given the green light to commence, sources said.
Chris Paul, the president of the players association, arranged the call that included LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook, sources said.
On to the links...
- Jayson Tatum went on “All the Smoke” with former Clippers Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson and had some complimentary words for Kawhi Leonard.
- “The Last Dance” has put a spotlight on Michael Jordan, but some people believe there hasn’t been enough emphasis on Jordan’s defense. Doc Rivers has thoughts on that.
- Former Clipper Mo Williams, part of the Baron Davis trade in 2011, was named head coach at the Alabama State men’s basketball team Tuesday. Congrats, Mo!
- Clipperholics looks at potential contract options for Montrezl Harrell this offseason.
- The NBA reportedly canceled its 2020 G League Elite camp.
Sources: The NBA has canceled its 2020 G League Elite Camp, which has previously served as a scouting event and had five participants drafted in 2019.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 12, 2020