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NBA All-Star weekend has arrived, although this 12 months all the essential occasions have been condensed right into a one-night affair on Sunday in Atlanta. Nevertheless, there was one merchandise that also happened on Saturday: commissioner Adam Silver’s annual All-Star press convention.
Silver touched on a variety of matters relating to each the current and way forward for the league. This is a rundown of a few of his most necessary feedback:
Playoff bubble unlikely
A bubble was by no means going to be an possibility for a whole common season, because the gamers merely would not have agreed to depart their households for that lengthy. Nevertheless, with COVID-19 nonetheless having a significant influence on the league and the nation as an entire, there have been some questions on whether or not the league would return to a bubble for the playoffs to make sure participant security and aggressive equity.
Silver acknowledged that the virus is “in cost,” however mentioned the league presently has no plans to recreate the bubble for the playoffs.
“We’re not contemplating going again to a bubble proper now,” Silver mentioned. “I do not rule something out…The virus is firmly in cost, so we have to regulate to circumstances as they current themselves.”
Emblem not altering
One other huge matter across the league these days, a minimum of on social media, has been a renewed push to vary the NBA emblem. Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving prompt that Kobe Bryant must be the brand new emblem, and he has loads of assist from each gamers and followers.
Not a lot from the league workplace, nonetheless. Silver fairly completely shot down that concept.
“There are not any ongoing discussions” about altering the emblem, Silver mentioned. “The brand is iconic. … It does not really feel to me that that is the suitable second.”
Summer time League plans in flux
Summer time League was canceled final 12 months as a result of pandemic, and it isn’t clear if it should occur this 12 months both. It is normally a July occasion, however the adjusted schedule means the playoffs will likely be going effectively into that month. So if it does occur in any respect, it is going to be later than typical.
Silver famous that he hopes they’re going to have the ability to determine one thing out, however discussions are nonetheless underway.
“Do not have concrete plans but for Summer time League,” Silver mentioned. “Would love to select it again up. Perhaps an abbreviated summer time league, mini-camps…every thing is on the desk.”
Vaccines will not be obligatory for gamers
COVID-19 vaccines have been a sensitive topic across the league. Legends like Invoice Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have filmed PSAs to encourage individuals to get the vaccine, as has San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Many gamers aren’t fairly on board, nonetheless, and a variety of stars reportedly even turned down the league’s request that they take part in a PSA.
Up to now, Silver mentioned no gamers have obtained the vaccine, although that is sensible as a result of most of them would not be eligible but below present pointers, and the league has made it clear they will not minimize the road. As well as, Silver mentioned that the league will not mandate gamers obtain the vaccine.
League making an attempt to close down All-Star weekend events
When the league reversed course and introduced that they might be holding an All-Star Recreation in any case this 12 months, it was met with confusion and concern from varied events. Gamers had been pissed off — LeBron James known as it a “slap within the face” — and Atlanta’s mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms was frightened about individuals touring to her metropolis and internet hosting occasions throughout a pandemic.
It seems she was proper to have these issues. A league spokesperson mentioned the league has despatched out over 200 stop and desist letters to promoters and occasion hosts throughout the town, requiring them to cease utilizing the NBA identify and emblem. Whereas which may work to get the branding modified, it is unlikely all of the occasions will likely be shut down.
As for the gamers, they will not have any alternative to be out and about in the course of the weekend. The league has created a mini bubble setting, and all gamers are required to test into the official lodge by Saturday evening and stay there till the sport on Sunday.
Monetary losses “appreciable,” however league is in a superb place
Save for the preliminary shutdown final 12 months, the NBA has been capable of proceed operations — albeit with some important changes which have value the league some huge cash. Not solely was constructing and working the bubble setting an costly endeavor, however most video games over the previous 12 months have been performed behind closed doorways. And the arenas which have let in followers are doing so on a restricted foundation.
When the league and gamers shocked everybody by beginning this season earlier than Christmas, one of many explanations was that ready till after the brand new 12 months would lead to $500 million in losses. These form of reviews should not all the time be taken at face worth, as a result of the league is making an attempt to spin issues their approach, however it’s clear {that a} delay would have value everybody much more cash than they’d already misplaced.
On Saturday, Silver mentioned that every one informed, the losses for the league have been “appreciable.” On the similar time, he believes the long-term well being of the league is “very stable.”
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