The NBA and the whole world in general are still dealing with the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic. Things may be beginning to move forward as everybody learns how to live through this, but it does not mean things are completely safe at the moment.
The league was put on hold on March 11, but they found a way to continue the season inside a bubble in Orlando. It meant no fans were allowed in, social distancing measures were in place, and masks were worn in order to protect others and keep everybody safe.
Before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, commissioner Adam Silver spoke with the media and he had this to say about the 2020-21 season in hopes of having fans back in arenas:
I think we all know nothing has really changed in this virus, as far as I know. In fact, many states are being in, I think the majority of states right now cases are ticking back up again. Based on everything I’ve read, there’s almost no chance that they’ll be a vaccine at least that is widely distributed before we start the next season so I do not see the development of a vaccine as a prerequisite. What my sense is that with rapid testing, it may not be that we’ll have 19,000 people in the building, we’ll see, but that with appropriate protocols, in terms of distancing, and with advanced testing that you will be able to bring fans back into arenas.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, it would be a huge win for them if they can get back to the Wells Fargo Center and have their passionate fan base to play in front of again. They went 29-2 at home before the league had to continue in the bubble due to the current situation in the world. [lawrence-related id=38035,38026,38032]