With backing of stars, season appears doable

About time.

That was my first thought when it was reported that many of the NBA’s biggest names had united behind the idea that the paused 2019-20 season should resume once the league receives a medical green light.

On Monday’s private conference call, according to Yahoo Sports: Rockets guard Russell Westbrook, former Rockets guard Chris Paul, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard.

That’s an All-NBA crew.

And it’s about time the Association’s most visible faces made an internal push for the NBA to return.

Negativity is everywhere — especially on national TV news and within Internet headlines. More than two months after the 2019-20 NBA season became the first big sports domino to fall, national confusion still reigns when it comes to the coronavirus.

Optimism is elusive — but absolutely necessary at this point in American history.

NASCAR returns this weekend, the PGA is set to follow, and discussions have begun between MLB’s owners and players to finally begin baseball’s 2020 season.

The Rockets were 64 games into their 82-game season when their year was suddenly frozen on a flight to Los Angeles for a nationally televised March 12 contest against James’ Lakers at Staples Center that is still postponed.

At this point, I don’t care if the NBA plays five regular-season games, then dives into the playoffs, or settles for an immediately abbreviated postseason. All that matters is that the 2019-20 season crowns a champion in the NBA Finals, if that outcome is humanly possible.

For that to happen, the league’s biggest stars must keep using their voices.

Players’ league. That’s what we always say about the NBA, right?

If professional basketball is going to return in the next couple months, the superstars who drive and carry the league must state their desire for a return.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that an informal poll taken by the National Basketball Players Association displayed strong support for the resumption of the 2019-20 season in a safe manner.

ESPN reported Tuesday that participants in a Board of Governors call with NBA commissioner Adam Silver exited the virtual meeting “feeling increasingly positive” about the league’s ability to return this season.

Positivity builds and multiplies. Optimism, like negativity, is contagious.

In recent weeks, it increasingly felt like the NBA was sliding toward the negative. Former superstars declared that the 2019-20 season should be scrapped. (I’m sure they would have felt the same way during the peak of their playing days, with another world championship still up for grabs.) The complexities of a return — safety, health, testing, bubble-like playing environments — seemed to be outweighing the positives.

If the NBA eventually decides there is no safe way to finish this season, so be it. Shut everything down and focus on a December beginning for the 2020-21 season.

But until that decision is reached, every attempt should be made to find a way to return to play.

That’s why the reported let-us-play unification of Westbrook, Paul, James, Durant, Leonard, etc., was so encouraging. Silver and the NBA will primarily follow the lead of scientists and medical professionals. But where the NFL is an almighty machine that runs itself and MLB is an annual balance between billionaires and millionaires, the NBA is a stardriven league that (mostly) listens and pays attention to the desires of its stars.

If the 2019-20 season resumes, there will be health risks. There’s also inherent risk in crossing a neighborhood street, swimming in the ocean and going to the gym.

Texas keeps reopening. Florida and Arizona are opening up for pro sports teams.

The NFL insists it will begin its 2020 campaign on time. MLB is attempting to start its season in July.

The NBA is the league with the superstars, flashy enough to inspire you via the distant magic of TV while flying around inside a fan-less arena in the middle of the summer.

It’s time for the stars to call for the ball, and the national spotlight, if they really want the NBA to return this season.