NBA games to resume amid COVID-19 contagion

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

PHILIPPINE’S professional basketball league PBA is still off, but the U.S. version, NBA, is definitely resuming its remaining games on July 31. This was the latest concession of NBA’s Board of Governors amid threat of COVID-19 contagion that derailed the league since March 11. As expected, there were pros and cons inside the confederation but it was decided that majority of the league’s players will be playing per their respective contracts with their respective teams. But one player was very vocal against the decision. The league’s famous center Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers squad had this to say: “I don’t think it’s going to be safe enough to play again with the deadly coronavirus showing no signs of slowing down in the United States.  I don’t trust some players to adhere to the guidelines set by the league to keep everyone safe.”

Yes, I can’t blame him. After all, the U.S. has the greatest number of fatalities from Covid-19. As of July 8, the government already reported 133,172 deaths. But at the end of the day and in spite of his concerns, not being comfortable about the league’s decision, Embiid agreed to play and give all his best as directed by his contract that he signed with his team Philadelphia, the city of his birth.

The remaining games of the 22 teams of the modified NBA season will be played only in Orlando, Florida at Disney’s Coronado Spring Resort. According to the agreement reached by the top honchos of the league, the players, coaches and team personnel will observe the protocols during the entire season which is expected to conclude on October 12, at the latest. NBA’s workforce has been required to stay at the Disney Resort until the season ends. And all those who live in bubble area, including the resort staff, will be required to take swab tests. (I don’t know if the spectators will also be required if allowed to enter and watch the games). The twenty-two teams, 13 from the Western Conference and nine from the Eastern Conference, will be playing and the best 16 teams of the league will enter the season’s playoffs.

Rounding up the top 13 teams in the Western Conference are: current leader Los Angeles Lakers (48-14 win-loss card), Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trailblazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns.

The Eastern Conference side is led by the league’s present leader Milwaukee Bucks (53-12 win-loss record) followed by defending champion Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, and Washington Wizards, in that order.
Except the host Orlando City of the Magic squad, is on the verge to be booted out with a poor 30-35 win-loss slate.

In this series, there will be no home court advantage.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by the famine and by the pestilence.” JEREMIAH 14: 12

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