A new environment

The NBA draws its power from the close proximity between fans and the players. This also may be the element most likely to be eliminated if the league comes back despite rising pandemic numbers.

According to CNN, more than 124,500 people have been infected by the coronavirus, which has led to the deaths of more than 4,600 people. As of Friday there were 41 deaths in the United States and at least 1,665 reported cases of infection. The latter number, especially, is considered inaccurate due to the scarcity of testing.

The NBA will have to be answerable in this regard, considering the immediate availability of tests for players even as patients across the country wait weeks for a test.

But with these numbers on the rise, the NBA will likely be unable to return for the playoffs in front of packed arenas. Money will flow once again with television coverage, and that may be the only way to watch for the rest of the season.

LeBron James recently said he couldn’t imagine playing without a crowd. The Lakers star seemed to be giving his blessing when he said this last week:

“They say no one could actually come to the game if they decide to go to that point, so I would be disappointed in that. But at the same time, you got to listen to the people that’s keeping a track on what’s going on. If they feel like it’s best for the safety of the players, the safety of the franchise, the safety of the league to mandate that, then we all listen to it.”