NBA Rumors: League eyeing Christmas Start to 2021 season; 72 games
NBA Rumors: League eyeing December start to 2021 season
Shortly after wrapping up the 2019-20 NBA season nearly two weeks ago, the hope was that the 2021 NBA season would begin in late-January. Even that seemed like a “best-case scenario” for the start of the new season.
However, now, according to a recent report, there’s growing optimism that the league could start the 2021 season in December, opening the door for the NBA to keep the Christmas basketball tradition intact.
"[via ESPN]"
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"The NBA is pursuing a pre-Christmas Day start and a reduced regular-season schedule for the 2020-2021 season, abandoning plans to delay the opening with hopes of incorporating fans back into arenas, sources told ESPN.Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA is proposing several changes to next season that include a 72-game regular season, a play-in tournament and the likelihood of no All-Star Game or All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, sources said."
There is still plenty that has to be negotiated and finalized, but if a Christmas start for the 2021 season is agreed upon, there would be plenty of repercussions from such a decision. Essentially, that would mean that the league would roughly have two months (from now) to fit in the 2020 NBA Draft (November 18), free agency, and training camp – essentially an entire offseason of events in roughly 60 days.
Not to mention that the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat just completed the NBA’s restart two weeks ago. To say that the offseason would be “rushed” would be an understatement. With that said, it’s pretty clear (especially with this plan that has leaked) that the NBA wants to get back to the original NBA basketball schedule.
By starting the season in December, and with a shortened 72-game slate, you’d think that the 2021-22 season would be able to move back to some level of normalcy. Assuming no setbacks, you’d have to assume that’s the plan for the NBA over the next 12 months.
Starting the season in December would likely mean that we’re probably going to see some semblance of a playing bubble, whether that be regional or in one specific area. The good news is that the NBA has experience creating a successful one.
Next. NBA: Grading the Atlantic Division for the 2019-20 season. dark
Still, I can’t shake the feeling that a Christmas start for the 2021 season, as much as I would enjoy and look forward to it, seems a bit rushed. That said, if there’s any sports leadership that could find a way to make it happen, it’s Adam Silver and the NBA.