NEWSLETTER
With The Last Dance in my life, Saturday feels so obsolete.
• Adam Silver is doing some much-needed housekeeping. While the fate of the 2019-20 NBA season is still up in the air, we’re beginning to get a much better idea of the discussions going on behind closed doors. And the league suits did the smart thing on Friday, setting up a conference call with NBA players. For the most part, there was no ground-breaking news shared, but it provided arguably the largest dialogue we’ve seen on a resumption of play since the league suspended things on March 11th. Again, this doesn’t mean it’s happening soon (or at all), but it kind of feels like a step in the right direction. It’s good to know everyone is on the same page.
• Silver confirmed during the call that the NBA would consider one or two locations to house games: Las Vegas and Orlando (specifically, Walt Disney World). With the clear expectation of zero fans in attendance, the league wants to limit any kind of consistent travel. One location would allow for the easier enforcement of safety precautions and the constant monitoring of the player’s health. Siver made it very clear though, the goal isn’t to have these players locked away in their hotel rooms. I mean, if they’re going to be there for a couple of months, that would be a pretty crappy life. Not to mention, it wouldn’t be the best look for the NBA. Play a game … now go to your room!
• Players were made aware that a decision on the NBA’s future might not be made this month or even at the start of next month. However, it’s interesting the way this was phrased in the ESPN report. Wojnarowski wrote “nor immediately into the start of June,” which certainly makes me think Silver might be eyeing a mid-to-late June *decision.* Considering about three weeks or so is said to be needed for a “training camp” ramp up, I guess this makes sense. The NBA would likely have to make a decision sometime in June so the season can start in July and go through August. Playing deep into September seems a bit far-fetched, even if the plan is to start the 2020-21 season in December (which Silver also told players is possible). After all, the league still needs to fit in all of its offseason activities.
• Regardless of circumstance, the NBA is pretty screwed financially. Silver said 40 percent of revenue comes from game nights so that the league salary cap could be in for quite the shake-up. The current collective bargaining agreement isn’t built to deal with this long of a hiatus, so the NBA and NBAPA will have quite the job on their hands. Anyway, I think those are all the highlights. For a complete look at what went down, make sure to read ESPN’s latest:
Full ESPN story on NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's conference call with players. "…The single greatest challenge of all our lives." https://t.co/GIffomTflH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 9, 2020
• If you’re more of a visual or auditory learner, here’s Woj talking about everything last night.
Joined the great @ESPNSteveLevy on @SportsCenter to go inside Adam Silver's call with the NBPA. pic.twitter.com/GXDwX0Y2Ze
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 9, 2020
• If you told me four months ago that this is what an NBA practice environment would look like …
New story: Kevin Love described his first day back at the practice facility, complete with assistant coaches wearing masks and gloves, to ESPN – "So for me, was it weird? Yeah … (But) getting on the court and actually shooting was pretty uplifting" https://t.co/jS5GzJSW9r
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 9, 2020
• I’ll admit, I’m very impressed with how organized the system was at the Cleveland practice facility. When I initially heard of the NBA’s plans to allow workouts I was hesitant, but if these are the practices each organization follows, my concerns are greatly reduced. With that said … does anyone else kind of get the heebeegeebees hearing about this? It’s kind of hard to describe, but players working out in isolation with a guy in a mask and gloves rebounding just feels super odd.
• *Pretends to be shocked*
Several Key Players Have Reportedly “Ripped” Jim Boylen in Discussions with New Bulls Front Officehttps://t.co/Bue1d9XP5O
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) May 8, 2020
• DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK, I’VE BEEN HERE FOR YEARS …
When MJ returned wearing 45…
The Last Dance continues on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/X2MFYBhl7p
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 9, 2020
• Okay, this angle with the slow-mo is so fun to watch.
The roar from the UC after Rose sinks it will still make every last hair on your body rise pic.twitter.com/YacbezakNl
— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) May 8, 2020
• Get this guy on the bench and just tell him to yell this at Zach for every play.
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1258959967505256455?s=20
