Significant risks await the NBA as it prepares to bring roughly 1,500 people into a bubble environment in Orlando, writes Zach Lowe of ESPN. He talks to several health experts who assess the possibility of keeping players and staff members safe from the coronavirus long enough to finish the season.
“They are going to see things on the ground they did not expect,” said Steven Pergam, an infectious disease specialist and an associate professor at the University of Washington. “The main potential weak point is how (Walt Disney World) employees interact with (NBA) staff,” adds Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute. “But you can manage it in ways that do not create a whole lot of risk.”
The health professionals agree that frequent testing will be important to stave off a potential widespread outbreak. They also state that even if a player contracts COVID-19, there’s no guarantee it will be passed on through games or practices.
“The person has to be at just the right point in the infection where they are very contagious and the viral load is very high,” explains Abraar Karan, a physician at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Given the health risks, Lowe questions the decision to bring the Suns and Wizards into the bubble environment. Both teams face long odds to even reach a play-in game, and the additional personnel increases the chances of someone contracting the virus. Lowe claims the decision to include the two teams was financial, creating more games, which brings in more revenue.
There’s more surrounding the NBA’s restart:
- Many of the league’s top stars participated in a conference call Friday where objections were raised to the plan to resume the season. However, LeBron James was notably absent, and Sam Amick of The Athletic explains it’s because James believes he can play basketball and advocate for social change at the same time. “Because of everything that’s going on, people are finally starting to listen to us,” James told Jonathan Martin of The New York Times this week. “We feel like we’re finally getting a foot in the door. How long is up to us. We don’t know. But we feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention, and this is the time for us to finally make a difference.”
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver has a lot to resolve as he balances strong player sentiment for resuming the season and ending it, states Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. Adding to the concern over racial issues is an increase in the coronavirus in Florida, which reported a state-record 2,500 new cases Saturday.
- NBA spokesman Mike Bass told Marc Stein of The New York Times that the league will address the objections raised by players (Twitter link). “We understand the players’ concerns and are working with the Players Association on finding the right balance to address them,” Bass said.
For all the people saying the only reason lebron wants to play is to win his 4th ring. You understand that he is a BILLIONAIRE, he doesn’t have to play, but he understands what is a stake for the league if guys don’t play this season.
That could very well be true. Never thought I’d see the day where Lebron haters are mad he wants to play the games lol. Yeah he wants his 4th ring. Its the dang sport he plays.
They will find anything. Its even worse now with the protest & douche bag Irving pushing that narrative to avoid going into the bubble.
If the season returns the players have a perfect platforms to voice and be heard during pre and after game conferences every game. I miss my basketball! We need this sport to start!
Great insight by a fan who thinks they know who LBJ truly is. LeBron James has earned a billion dollars, but don’t you think that he spent just a little bit of all that money? He’s actually worth around $480M, so no he’s not actually a billionaire. But like other multi-millionaires he leads an extravagant lifestyle (including all his charities) and he does need to make all that money to support said lifestyle. If he didn’t care about money, then why isn’t he playing for less than the max like he did in Miami (like a true GOAT such as Tom Brady)?
Because the Players Association would have turned on him, had he taken less than the max. If the best player in the game is taking less than maximum, it hurts the leverage of lesser players.
Bron knows this is his only chance to overtake Steph in rings because GSW is about to get KD back and also Giannis to run with Steph, and its all over for everyone.
A ring is important. Money is another thing, just as important. This is why I said they should just go right into playoffs. It’s easier to control 16 team playoff right away. I get there are tv contracts or whatever contracts. But these are special times. It’s more important to do this right and safe. I’m sure they can settle monetary differences. They should televise all games. The public would watch in record numbers. These are special times. If we are going to do this. Let’s do it right. Be inclusive, easier to get messages out too. I just want to watch games. Be safe
If players are kept in that bubble everything will be fine. The league desperately needs players to understand that they are sacrificing for the greater good of the league.
Oh, so NOW “a ring is important”?
That’s funny, I just spent 3 years getting told KD’s rings don’t matter!
“But we feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention, and this is the time for us to finally make a difference.”
I’m glad LeBron is viewing the restart as an opportunity rather than a distraction. With so many fans eager to continue the season, players can bring attention to their cause knowing viewers are paying attention
The NBA is going to be in Florida, a state that is absolutely about to be wiped out by covid.
Stop this madness. Call off the season.
@strike4
Calm down man, it is only a virus not a death sentence, actually not even a bad virus, truth be told!
No, but for those over 65 or health deficiencies it is a trial, with the death penalty on the line. Unless you assume every reported death from the disease is a conspiracy hoax. In which case, yes everything is always sunny and carefree.
How many over 65s will be involved in the bubble?
About to be? People keep saying that yet Florida is 28th amongst all states in virus deaths per capita. Considering the huge amount of elderly people in that state, they’ve done remarkably well.
States all over the country have been open for weeks, and we just had our lowest death number since MARCH 26.
But all you hear about are a couple “hot spot” states that have “spiked,” without any context of increased testing or the fact that only a couple places in those states are affected.
Millions around the country have gone back to work without issue. I never stopped working, and I’m older than every NBA player. Play ball.
Millions have worked at hospitals and supermarkets this whole time for meager wages without complaining as much as Kyrie
About the conference call run by Kyrie Irving, per the Athletic:
“Sources said Irving has been extremely vocal on NBPA calls during the suspension of the season, challenging executive director Michele Roberts and Paul last Friday about what efforts are being made to align the players and league for sponsorship and endorsement money — or whether it should be solely the players’ responsibility. This was Irving’s way of questioning the norms set forth by the NBPA, sources said.”
HR did not run this part, probably because it is unclear, but it indicates Irving wants a player’s end run around the union, with Irving representing the players. Also, the best way to “align the players and league” is by doing what is wished by the players, namely, Irving. In other words, If everyone does what Irving wants, everyone and Irving will be happy.
Well that’s my take on TA’s take. (paywall, link to theathletic.com)
I’m getting fed up with Irving, whatever difference that makes. Why does he try so hard to be a leader?– he sux at it.
He’s shown little leadership as a player. Why would others listen to him right now?