NBA Rumors: League is reportedly considering a 7-14 pause on the season
As COVID-19 (both positive results and close contacts) continues to run rampant around the league, there’s a growing sense that the NBA could be soon faced with a big decision. From all indications, it seems like there’s three clear potential options for the league moving forward.
They could either hit a pause on the season, even if it’s just for a week or two, push forward with its current protocols and hope that COVID-19 is somewhat “controlled” as the vaccine is distributed (whenever that takes place for NBA players), or they could go back to the drawing board and try to adjust its protocols and perhaps even enter something that resembles a bubble (which worked great for the league during the summer.
Either way, the league isn’t in a great spot just a few weeks into the 2020-21 season. According to a recent report, a pause on the season is very much on the table.
Source: NBA considering a 7 to 14 day pause amidst the growing rate of positive cases within the league. The NBA brass & GMs will meet virtually today or tomorrow to reconsider safety protocols. The league wants to avoid a pause but it is on the table. @kron4news
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) January 11, 2021
While this news is not exactly surprising considering the number of positive COVID-19 cases that have arisen in the NBA over the last week, it would be quite the hit on the league should they need to shut down for two weeks.
At this point though, it might be viewed as a necessary one in order to keep the league afloat from the piling up of positive tests (and contact tracing that is being done). Over the past week, we’ve seen a number of games postponed because teams simply don’t have enough players (eight players).
Still, it would be somewhat discouraging to see from a fan standpoint. Nevertheless, it’ll be interesting to see what the NBA and NBAPA agree to do moving forward. The two sides are slated to meet Tuesday on how to move forward.
It should be noted that at this point, the league has consistently stated that there are no plans on pausing the season by any means. Though, after the meeting, that could certainly change. At this point, especially for the fans, we’re very much in a wait and see approach. At the same rate, we have to be hoping for the best for all parties involved – the league, teams, players, and all staff. Hopefully, there will be some sort of resolution soon.