The NBA has been on hold since March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic that has the much of the larger world on hold as well. However, there could be some hope for sports returning sooner than some pundits have predicted.
The curve representing the spread of the virus is beginning to show progress, as most Americans are taking the necessary distancing precautions to remain safe and slow down the spread of the virus. These developments have Dallas Mavericks managing partner Mark Cuban believing that the NBA could resume as soon as early June. Then the NBA began putting together a 25-day “return to basketball” plan that gives the teams and players time to get back into shape before it all begins again.
A new wrinkle developed on Tuesday as the state of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management deemed professional sports as an “essential service” in this memo, which extended an executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis. This would appear to mean that professional sports can be played in Florida, in empty gyms and stadiums, and it gives the NBA an option to resume in Orlando, one of the cities recently listed by the New York Post as an option. The league could have the teams descend upon Orlando and begin the playoffs that way in an effort to crown a champion.
Marc Berman wrote:
The obvious destination for a one-site event is UNLV in Las Vegas, which has hosted recent summer leagues with all 30 clubs. Hotels are plentiful. One destination reportedly discussed was the Bahamas. According to an NBA source, there’s also been internal talks about Orlando, Atlantic City, Hawaii and Louisville hosting the playoffs.
This does not mean the imminent return of sports, but it does offer light at the end of a dark tunnel. Until then, please follow CDC guidelines as we all do our part to slow the spread of the virus. [lawrence-related id=29406,29400,29393]