Has the time come for the NBA to cancel the 2019-2020 season?

Dodging the second wave

At that point, I think it would be best for the league to wait. The CDC expects that there could be a second wave of this virus, and resuming an NBA season too early–even without the fans–could be disastrous.

It would probably be best if the league began in December, and then had a shortened season similar to the 2011-2012 lockout-shortened season. The league could begin, they could make sure it’s safe to play, in January or February they could start bringing fans back, and perhaps by June next year, we’d have packed stadiums and playoff basketball.

Ultimately, there isn’t an option that’s going to please everybody. The NBA recognizes that, should they start the league again, their players are at significant risk. Keep the season paused until it’s safe, and you could throw the rest of basketball’s future out of orbit.

Cancel the season, and while I’m sure there are major financial implications that would need to be worked out, the worst that can happen is we have to wait a year to see a new king of basketball crowned. I want the NBA back just as much as the next guy. But at the end of the day, making sure that your players, the personnel, their families, and the fans are all safe should be your top priority.

Hopefully, that’s how the league sees it too.