The hypothesis of a start to the season around December 25 is making its way into the NBA.
When will the NBA return? Maybe sooner than one might have thought. While the idea of a start to the season in January 2020-21, or even later, seemed to be gaining ground, various sources suggest that the league would now aim to start around or outright on Christmas Day. Even from December 22 according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. We are also talking about a season that could be planed (70-72 matches?), Access roadblocks for the play-offs (as was the case in the bubble) and a title that could be awarded before the start of the Olympic Games, July 23, 2021. So many hypotheses discussed at the “Bord of Gouvernors” this Friday.
If so, it would obviously be great news for international basketball, which saw the sad specter of an Olympic tournament without a “made in USA” star. This obviously concerns the many international tricolors who evolve within the Association.
No need to wait forever
“Our goal is to play a normal season, with 82 regular season games and play-offs, in the usual venues and with audiences,” said Adam Silver again last month. Except that in the current state of things, with the pandemic which does not seem to show any sign of weakness, no more in the United States than elsewhere, very clever who can say when American theaters can again be crowded. Under these conditions, no need to postpone the three blows forever and miss the Christmas audience, the usual highlight of the NBA season, as well as an All Star Game – scheduled for Indianapolis – which could be sacrificed. Obviously, the broadcasters would see this favorably.
This idea is not unanimous, however, with many clubs who believe that a start to the season at Christmas is not feasible, and others campaigning for Martin Luther King Day in mid-January, as reported. ESPN. In any case, the big manitou Silver recalled that two months will have to pass between the decision-making and the effective start of the 2020-21 season. So we won’t have to hang around on the way …
We also know that other discussions must be held with the representatives of the players (NBPA), history of big money (income, payroll), the latter also having to validate the recovery plan. October 30 is circled in red. The next few weeks will be hot.
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