The 2020 NBA playoffs will be an unprecedented affair, with games taking place shortly after a late-season hiatus of more than four months.
This year’s NBA postseason will also take place at a neutral site in Orlando and without fans, as part of extensive safety protocols aimed at limiting exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
But all teams will be subject to the same constraints going in, and the playoffs will also be held according to their usual format — with the standard Western and Eastern Conference brackets, and the ultimate winner having to win four best-of-seven playoff series.
As Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta sees it, that makes this year’s champion legitimate, even if the circumstances are unusual and even if it isn’t his team. He explains to Fox 26 Houston’s Mark Berman:
Whoever wins this championship, there is no asterisk. I don’t care if it’s us, or Milwaukee, or one of the LA teams. Why would it be an asterisk? You have to win four series, four out of seven, to win this championship.
#Rockets owner @TilmanJFertitta: “Whoever wins this championship there is no asterisk. I don’t care if it’s us or Milwaukee or one of the LA teams. Why would it be an asterisk. You have to win four series, four out of seven, to win this championship.” pic.twitter.com/3qqULu8mz8
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 4, 2020
Fertitta also stated confidence in his team’s ability to make a deep run in Orlando, led by veterans James Harden, Russell Westbrook, P.J. Tucker, and Eric Gordon. The Rockets owner, who said he was happy with the NBA’s approved restart plan to resume the season on July 31, added that he “will never rest” until he brings Houston another NBA title.
.@TilmanJFertitta on what it’d mean to him if the #Rockets can win it all this year: “It would be unbelievable. I will never rest until we have a NBA champion Houston Rockets in Houston again.” pic.twitter.com/45LKIAXsdT
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 4, 2020
.@TilmanJFertitta says having vets like James Harden, Russell Westbrook, PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon will be huge as the NBA restarts the season: “I think it’s a great plus to have experience like James and Russ & PJ..We can’t win the championship without Eric Gordon playing well” pic.twitter.com/V9za2TdAZN
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 4, 2020
Fertitta and 29 of the NBA’s 30 team owners voted Thursday to formally approve the season’s resumption. A similar ratification from team player representatives with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is scheduled for this Friday, June 5.
The complete in-person interview with Fertitta can be seen in a series of video clips on Berman’s Twitter timeline.
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#Rockets owner @TilmanJFertitta with a message to the fans of his franchise: “Please be patient & support us and I can promise you we’re gonna do whatever we can to try to win a championship every year. Please cheer us on over these next few months.” pic.twitter.com/wT2kLxaeDF
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 4, 2020