Amid haze of virus, a bit more clarity
The NBA pressed on with its tortured season Tuesday night, with a new set of rules and a weak stash of tools.
There’s no fixing a pandemic in full rage, especially in a country that won’t behave. It’s just a bunch of figurative bandaids on a wound too large to address, and no one truly escapes. Now it’s the Warriors’ turn, learning that Eric Paschall has entered the league’s health and safety protocols, and when you examine the league’s cascade of trouble — positive tests, blatant disregard for protocol, one postponement after another — you know it could be worse.
At a time when a complete shutdown seemed appropriate, even for a month or less, the NBA has chosen the fast lane, the one labeled Take the
Money, once again. Whether it’s stayathome orders, eliminating visitors to hotel rooms or the clampdown on simple things, like dropping into a bar, Tuesday’s mandate suggests a player nightmare over the next two weeks — and probably beyond.
No, this cruel new world hardly resembles a military boot camp, but some serious change is at hand. The NBA now expects a complete halt on lengthy pregame meetings, postgame hugs with opposing players and the comically reckless usage of masks, among other highly detailed restrictions. ( Somehow, coaches worldwide have come to believe that when you really need to shout at somebody — thus putting yourself at the highest pandemic risk — that’s when you take off the mask.)
One is tempted to say the season is doomed, but that’s not how it has worked. Pro leagues and collegiate conferences tiptoe through the minefields, somehow finding closure but losing all relevance along the way. As such, the NBA faces a season with little or no meaning. Already, players are discouraged by the protocols. Fans have no idea what they’ll see on a given night; Wednesday’s powerhouse is Sunday’s pushover. The stands are completely empty in most arenas, depriving players of that sweet rush of recognition from family, friends, companions, agents and scouts. On teams headed irrevocably for disaster, a number of players will just give up, at least in their minds, and even consider opting out in midstream.
As for the Warriors fans at home, I’ll summon what I call the Cheerios Theory: Grand pronouncements over breakfast lose their meaning by sundown. This dates to Barry Bonds’ pursuit of the career home run record; fans ridiculed the man over their cereal and toast, claiming there’s no room for performanceenhancing drugs in the grand old game, but come nightfall, they admired or even cheered the greatest powerhitting show in history.
So, here we are, knowing in our hearts that the NBA has no business playing, but it sure is nice having a game to watch. Bring it on, just like the World Series, the NFL playoffs or the college football titanics. There will be a climax, somehow, even if the NBA has to — and should — craft another “bubble” setup for the playoffs. But for all the optimism surrounding the Warriors’ dramatic turnaround, it’s not going to mean much against the pandemic’s oppressive burden. One team ( not Golden State) will win it all, while 29 others reflect on the awful, monthslong grind.
Now, next season — that’s an entirely different story.
About a week into the schedule, NBA insiders were ridiculing what they labeled a pipe dream, all about Klay Thompson returning to lead a dramatic resurrection of power. Now that we’ve seen a bit more evidence, it seems entirely plausible. An NBA title, polished off by a fourgame sweep in the Finals? That’s a bit excessive. But the Warriors have confounded the notion that major, widespread changes would be necessary. They are delightfully on course as they stand today.
Put Thompson in the backcourt with Stephen Curry, and everyone else step aside, including Damion Lee and CJ McCollum. The throne has been retaken. As Andrew Wiggins put it, “When Klay comes back, gonna be a scary sight.”
Draymond Green can shoot a handful of 3pointers, all embarrassing clanks off the front rim, and still dominate a game on both ends of the floor. James Wiseman is a work in progress and a revelation, all at once. Wiggins won’t ever be Tim Hardaway on the court, aggressively shoving his forceful persona in everyone’s face, but he can score, he can defend, and he loves the Warriors’ culture — a beautiful thing that has survived many potential setbacks.
By all means, don’t be discouraged by Kelly Oubre Jr.’ s earlyseason slump; he’s a player who cares and should definitely be retained, and if you think his impressive scoring outburst Tuesday night was some sort of aberration, you’re mistaken; there will be more of that. Throw in the Warriors owning Minnesota’s firstround selection, whenever the draft is held, and the future sounds a lot more promising than the present.