The NBA season has been suspended for more than three months in response to the coronavirus pandemic. As fans anxiously awaited updates, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league's board of governors, along with the players' union led by Chris Paul, have crafted a plan for a return to play. This plan includes a shortened end to the regular season followed by the playoffs, bringing excitement back to basketball fans and players alike.
Thirteen teams from the Western Conference and nine from the Eastern Conference will travel to Orlando, where they will engage in eight games to determine playoff seeding. These "seeding games" not only figure out playoff teams but also hold significant financial implications for the players involved.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports that players were facing a potential loss of $645 million in salary if the season had been canceled entirely. Thankfully, the return of the regular season, albeit in a modified format, is projected to restore approximately $300 million back to players. Additionally, NBA franchises will benefit from broadcasting these games on local networks, further supporting the league's financial ecosystem.
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The season is set to resume on July 31 at the Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports Complex. While games will be televised for fans, the reality remains that fewer staff members will be allowed on-site, and unfortunately, fans will not be in attendance. This unprecedented situation continues to shape the way we experience sports.
As players begin to arrive in Orlando in early July, they will take this time to acclimate to their new surroundings. The final regular-season games will serve as crucial opportunities for athletes to regain their rhythm and fitness, ultimately reducing the risk of injuries.
Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, and the Milwaukee Bucks, captained by Giannis Antetokounmpo, have already claimed their spots as conference champions. Moreover, there is the potential for an exciting play-in round to determine the eighth seed. If the ninth-seeded team finishes within four games of the eighth-seeded team, they will get a chance to compete in a bonus round before the playoffs commence.
In this play-in round, the eighth-place team will need to win just one game to officially secure their playoff spot, while the ninth-place team will have to win two games. Although it may not replicate the excitement of March Madness, it certainly adds an interesting twist to the conclusion of the season.
While uncertainty looms regarding how the on-court product will manifest, the NBA's return this summer represents a significant step forward. This comeback will not only help players recover a substantial portion of the earnings they lost during the suspension but also reignite the passion of basketball fans around the world.
