The NBA appears to be moving towards a return. The latest rumblings suggest that Adam Silver will soon instruct teams to bring players back to practice facilities, which would lead to a training camp period before games resume. There’s no clear timetable for all of this to occur, at least not yet. From ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Barring an unforeseen turn of events, many NBA owners, executives and National Basketball Players Association elders believe commissioner Adam Silver will green-light the return to play in June — with games expected to resume sometime before the end of July, sources said.
It still remains to be seen how the NBA would resume the season. The league could go straight into the playoffs upon its return, but it seems like we’ll see at least some regular season games. The Kings remain just three games back of the Memphis Grizzlies, in a three-way tie with the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans. But even if the league returns with a regular season, there’s no guarantee there will be enough games to close the gap and make the playoffs.
The league seems prepared to play at a “bubble location” or possibly two. Disney World in Orlando seems like all but a done deal at this point, but Woj reports that Las Vegas could still be in consideration as a second site.
This obviously continues to evolve day by day, and nothing is set in stone. As excited as I am for the possibility of having basketball back, I remain worried that this could result in serious health issues or even death for any number of players, coaches, or training staff. Hopefully the league can find the right balance of bringing basketball back while still protecting those involved.
If you told me the Kings would be playing basketball in June before the start of this season…
Obviously we need to give Vlade and Walton new contract extensions.
Awesome
Most appropriate rides for the Kings to play their games on/in?
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Expedition Playoffs – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Space(ing problems) Mountain
The Haunted Mansion
The Kings Herald: Rise of the Resistance (against Vox)
It’s a Small Market
Doesn’t Matterhorn
This is how I picture Vlade and Vivek showing up and finding out we didn’t make the bracket.
Silver: “Yes, that’s right Valde. We will see you at Knott’s Berry Farm next week.”
Vlade: “I thought we play games in Orlando?”
Silver: “No, that fell through. Knott’s Berry Farm was always the backup.”
Vlade: “Ok, I make travel plans now and tell Vivek. See you there!”
Silver: “Great and good luck!” hangs up…. ” Turns to other GMs and owners in the room, “I think he bought it. See you all in Orlando.”
Badge Legend