Beginning on May 1, the NBA is allowing teams to open their practice facilities to players in cities and states where local governments have eased stay-at-home orders, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2020
Sources: Teams will be allowed to make facilities open to players on a voluntary basis for individual work, but larger group workouts will still be prohibited. In NBA markets that aren't loosening restrictions, league plans to work w/ teams on other arrangements for players. https://t.co/yZSKsXedW1
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2020
WOJ BOMB to upstage the NFL Draft!
So May 1st will be the first move forward for the NBA to get everything back on track and restart the season. I’m surprised this is the route they’re taking as you know there are going to be hot takes about competitive advantage, but fuck it! Basketball has a chance to come back. Honestly, I was thinking hockey and basketball were done-zo for the rest of the year. I just didn’t think it would be feasible for them to return, give players three weeks to get back up to speed, and then continue the season without obstructing the timeline of next season.
If every states re-opening date stayed firm these are the states right now with NBA teams that would be able to open practice facilities on May 1st. Arizona, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
There is no doubt the NFL Draft this weekend had something to do with this. I’ve done nothing, but watch the draft from Thursday-Sunday on my couch. Yes, I do realize that is sad. But it’s been an awesome escape from the fact that this is the first real sports we’ve had since everything was canceled. Fuck you WNBA.
Don’t look now, but if the NBA does actually restart it will be the first time Joel Embiid will be healthy going into the playoffs in his career. Ben Simmons’ back impingement is gone. Maybe if we’re lucky Al Horford will just end up retiring. The Sixers will be dangerous I promise you that!
Don’t throw water on my basketboner Woj. You already reported we’re opening.
NBA's decision on opening practice facilities to players in markets where governments may be loosening stay-at-home orders doesn't mean a resumption of season is imminent. The NBA is still unsure on if/when it can play again. But getting players safely into gyms was a priority.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2020
