As the rest of the world begins reopening, the NBA looks to be taking the initial steps in doing the same starting on Friday. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported on Wednesday the details of a conference call conducted not only by league commissioner Adam Silver but also Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts.
Wojnarowski noted that the call, which started as a conference call for the NBA Players Association, will serve as a check-in for players.
This originates as an NBPA conference call with union membership — with Adam Silver joining Michele Roberts in what’s expected to be an informational check-in with players.
Shelburne also noted on Twitter that, while some teams may begin opening facilities, Friday’s call is not a signal of the league ramping things up.
Friday is also the first day the NBA has permitted teams to re-open practice facilities for voluntary socially distanced workouts. Thus far only 4 teams – Portland, Cavs, Denver, Houston, are planning to reopen Fri. but several more —Heat, Hawks, Magic—are hoping to open next week.
No sports league in America appears to have an imminent return as all continue to move along slowly and cautiously in restarting their respective seasons. Specific to Lonzo Ball and the Pelicans, Ball has not yet returned to New Orleans as he remains in Los Angeles as the Big Baller mansion with his brothers and family.
So, while the NBA’s return is far from imminent, Friday is some form of a landmark as a step toward that inevitable return in some capacity.