The NBA is on its way back, having approved a 22-team plan to bring back basketball with a few covid-related twists.
A shred of good news in what has been an unfortunate time in our country, it seems that we will see the return of NBA basketball within the next two months. The NBA has just approved a plan that will allow for a return of the season, gaining approval by the board of governors in a 29 to one vote (per Woj, ESPN).
The approved plan is for 22 teams to return to action, 13 from the Western Conference and nine from the East. These teams make up the top eight from each conference as well as any team that was within six games of the eighth seed when the hiatus began.
Beginning July 31st, each team will play eight more regular-season games. If the nine seed was within four games of the eighth and final playoff spot, they will have a small play-in series; single elimination for the nine seed and double elimination for the eight. At the conclusion of these games, the playoffs will resume as normal. The Finals will end on October 12th at the latest.
With this new format, the Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, and Rockets have officially clinched spots. The Mavericks will only not clench in a perfect storm. The Grizzlies, Trailblazers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs, and Suns will all be left to duke it out for the final spot.
In the East, the Bucks, Celtics, Raptors, Heat, Pacers, and 76ers have now clenched spots. The Wizards, Nets, and Magic are left to fight for the remaining two spots.
All games will be played in Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. The players and staff will all stay at park hotels, be instructed to eat at outdoor restaurants only, and be tested for covid daily. If a player tests positive, he will be removed, treated, and quarantined individually while the rest of his team plays on. Park staff will also be tested, not enter player rooms, and limit contact.
Players would likely take an approximate 15 percent pay-cut due to missed games under this plan, but the exact figure has not been released. The NBPA will speak with the Association on this soon.
The next regular season is a whole other matter but may begin December 1st. The eight teams that are not participating in the above proposal would have gone almost nine months without playing at that time.
There are concerns and questions that accompany this return, but there are many positives as well. The main takeaway is that basketball is coming back. Several teams already have opened facilities, though no more than four players are allowed at a time, only allowed to do individual workouts. Slowly but surely, things will ramp up, starting with June 30th training camps and travel to Orlando on July 7th.
We will keep you filled in as details continue to emerge. Game on!