Taking the fifth on fan capacity
If NBA games will be allowed to be played with fans in the building next season, what do you think will be a good safe number to ensure proper distancing and minimize potential spreading? I think having not more than 25 per cent capacity could work. — Aurelian That’s really a tough one because there are so many jurisdictions with so many limits. I’d say 20 per cent would be an ambitious league-average figure, but it really depends on arena configuration as well.
Does a Dec. 22 start to a 72game season wind things up in time to get NBA Canadians and coach Nick Nurse to Victoria for the FIBA tournament? Or is it too early to tell?
— James A. It seems the NBA hopes to get its season over with before the Olympics start — maybe by as little as a day — which would allow players from teams knocked out of the playoffs early to take part. But the qualifying event remains scheduled during the early portion of the post-season, so it’s unclear who might be able to play, or coach in Canada’s case.
During the pandemic with the prorated salaries, do the injured players also get prorated annual salaries while they’re out? What about if there’s a buyout?
— Tonney Yes, all salaries are pro-rated. Buyouts — none since March as far as I can recall — are individually negotiated transactions. There are no rules associated with them.
So, 25 years. Who else (around the league) is still covering the same team from when you started? Also, are there whispers of any rule changes for the upcoming season? —
Paul M. There are quite a few oldtimers like me, some who have switched jobs or moved from beat writing to column writing. I’d try to name them all but I know I’d forget someone, so a representative list includes guys like Eddie Sefko in Dallas (now with the Mavs), Ira Winderman in Miami, Rick Bonnell in Charlotte, Jon Feigen in Houston, Steve Aschburner in Chicago. Lots of others, I’m sure. Rule changes? Haven’t heard anything from the competition committee. That’s likely to come up just before camps begin, but I do know they have decide on what tweaks to make to the coach’s challenge rule.
It seems to me that it is becoming increasingly apparent the Raptors will be bounced from the Air Canada Centre for 2021. COVID numbers remain robust in Toronto. What do you feel about the possibility that the Raptors will relocate to Buffalo for the upcoming season a la Blue Jays?
— Ken I’m not sure it’s “increasingly apparent” at the moment, but it’s a distinct possibility. Buffalo would be one possibility, I suppose, but I don’t know about the feasibility of sharing with an NHL team given both leagues are planning condensed schedules. Newark, where there is no hockey team, or some place like Louisville or Kansas City might be more possible. And I know Buffalo has some allure because of its proximity, but realistically, given border restrictions, it means nothing to fans and the team won’t take that into consideration.