The NBA reportedly sent a memo to all 30 teams on Friday on preparing for the possibility of playing games without fans in the arena due to concerns about the Coronavirus. Professional sports leagues in Europe, for example, have already taken this step to helps slow the spread of this disease.
LeBron James was asked about this possibility following the Los Angeles Lakers emphatic win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on Friday. As far as LeBron’s concerned, if you’re considering playing NBA games without any fans in the arena than you might as well not play the games at all.
“We play games without the fans? Nah, that’s impossible. I ain’t playing, if I ain’t got the fans in the crowd, that’s who I play for.
—LeBron James on the possibility of playing games without fans in attendance due to concerns from the Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/E3Yb41YfCK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 7, 2020
“We play games without the fans?” James asked while clarifying a question from a pool reporter gathered at his locker. “Nah, that’s impossible. I ain’t playing, if I ain’t got the fans in the crowd, that’s who I play for.
“I play for my teammates and I play for the fans. That’s what it’s all about. If I show up to an arena and there ain’t no fans there, I ain’t playing. So they can do what they want to do.”
LeBron made these comments after his Lakers defeated the visiting Bucks 113-103. James finished with 37 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Giannis, meanwhile, totaled 32, 11 and six.
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