NBA WAITING GAME FOR NEW DAD DELLY
ONE of Aussie basketballer Mathew Dellavadova’s Cleveland Cavaliers teammates says he understands if the new dad is reluctant to return to playing NBA games while the COVID-19 threat remains.
The NBA is yet to announce if the 2019-20 season will recommence or be cancelled.
One potential option the NBA is mulling is to play the remainder of the season at two sites, most likely Las Vegas and Orlando, and sequester teams.
Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr said yesterday he would be in favour of that type of “bubble” format, but players with young families might not.
“Take Delly, for instance, who just had a kid, who would have his newborn child with him,” Nance Jr said.
“If I were him, no I’m not subjecting myself to that because then I can bring it home to my family.
“So, while I want to get back tomorrow, I also respect the opinion of guys that have bigger things to worry about.”
Dellavadova and wife Anna welcomed son Anders in November.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver held a conference call with players last week, when the Orlando and Las Vegas options were raised.
Games would likely be played in empty arenas.
If the season, which paused on March 11 when Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert tested positive to the virus, does not restart, players face losing 25 per cent of their salaries.
Player union representatives have reportedly begun polling players about whether they want to return to the court this season.
Nance Jr said he would play if precautions were in place.
“The key word being if it’s totally safe, if it’s totally locked down,” he said.
“I’ll play 82 games in 82 days at this point.
“I think all guys are just itching to come back.”
Silver has said no decision on returning to play this season needed to be made in May or even the start of June.