The NBA is getting set to head down to Orlando in late July to resume the 2019-20 season which has been in suspension since March 11 due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The catch is that there will be no fans in the stands and it will be just strictly basketball from here on out.
This is nothing really new to a lot of these guys as they have been involved in a lot of these types of atmosphere for a time in their basketball lives. Especially in the AAU era where basketball is played in gyms 24/7 and the games don’t stop rolling.
For Philadelphia 76ers guard Josh Richardson, that is exactly how he is viewing this time down in Orlando.
“It’s almost going to be scrimmages, I guess,” he said with a smile. “It’s going to be the AAU Tournament of the century.”
For the games themselves, the team will need energy from within the group from guys off the bench. The Sixers are a team that thrives on the energy of their fans–as seen by a 29-2 home record–so that challenge will be for them to now thrive on their energy from each other.
“I feel like that’s the same in a regular game,” he added. “Teams can come out flat. There’s always going to be a guy or a few guys who can keep guys’ heads in the game or to rev everybody up a little bit. I think we’re going to have to bring our own energy.”
Even though he is a guy who will be out on the floor for a long time, the Sixers will need Richardson to bring the energy as well. He has to be bringing it from the jump while also keeping going while on the bench as well.
“I’ll be one of those guys trying to bring energy. I know KO (Kyle O’Quinn) is going to be a big energy guy for us,” the veteran finished with. “Hopefully, other guys will step up, get a little uncomfortable, and try to help us in a different way.”
The Sixers officially restart on August 1 against the Indiana Pacers. [lawrence-related id=34117,34107,34097]