With the NBA about to complete its longest, craziest season, commissioner Adam Silver still doesn’t know when the league will be able to tip off next season and isn’t sure what it’ll look like whenever it does.
Before tipoff of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Silver said next season won’t start until Christmas at the earliest, but admitted January was far more likely. And even then, he couldn’t say whether it would be with or without fans, in home markets or in another bubble.
“I don’t know. The earliest we would start is Christmas. That’s been a traditional tent-pole day for the league; but it may come and go,” Silver said. “Probably the greater likelihood is we start in January.”
The coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 200,000 in the United States forced the suspension of play back in March. While Silver initially resisted the bubble idea, play eventually resumed at Walt Disney World. He praised the 6,500 people — including players, coaches, media, essential workers — who made it possible.
And, he noted, made it a success. While a few of those people who aren’t tested daily — like Disney staff — did test positive for COVID-19, no players, coaches or team staff members did. He cited the precautions — wearing masks, social distancing, testing, etc. — and said, “It’s a message to the country — not to sound too grandiose — the basic protocols we’re following are working.”
But while it worked to put the finishing touches on a season that had already been largely completed, Silver recognizes it wouldn’t be that easy to hold next season in a bubble. There is sentiment around the league that he’d have a hard time selling that to the players association.
“I’m hoping ideally we would not return to a bubble environment,” Silver said. “But it’s something we have to continue to look at.”
With so much time and effort being put into creating and maintaining the bubble, the NBA put together a separate team in July led by senior vice president Amy Brooks focusing just on next season. He’s studied what other leagues are doing — including international soccer — and “all of it” is on the table, including playing without fans.
“As far as fans, it’s certainly our goal. But it’s dependent on additional advancements. Rapid testing may be the key here,” said Silver, backing up earlier comments by Nets owner Joe Tsai. “I’m hopeful that as we continue to study advancements in testing, rapid testing could make a big difference in potentially getting fans in buildings.”
With Silver holding out little hope for a readily available coronavirus vaccine in time for next season, he said that wouldn’t be a non-starter or prerequisite for fans in the stands.
“Based on everything I’ve read, there is almost no chance there will be a vaccine widely distributed before we start next season, so I do not see the development of a vaccine as a prerequisite,” said Silver. “My sense is with rapid testing it may not be we have 19,000 people, but with appropriate protocols in terms of distance and advanced testing that you will be able to bring fans back into arenas.”
Silver also discussed the dearth of minority head coaches, with just four black coaches in the league.
“I don’t see a way to operate where the league office is dictating to a team who they should or shouldn’t hire, or should and shouldn’t fire. Having said that, I know we can do better,” Silver said. “We’ve looked at the equivalent of a Rooney-type rule. I’m not sure it makes sense … [But] the number is too low. I know we can do better, and I think we will do better.”