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3 outlandish suggestions for the NBA upon its return from hiatus

By Craig Cochran

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver speaks at a press conference after the NBA Board of Governors meeting on October 20, 2011 in New York City. Silver announced that NBA Commissioner David Stern will not attend the NBA labor talks today due to illness. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver speaks at a press conference after the NBA Board of Governors meeting on October 20, 2011 in New York City. Silver announced that NBA Commissioner David Stern will not attend the NBA labor talks today due to illness. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Maybe resuming the regular season post-hiatus isn’t the worst idea?

Alright, you caught me. It is definitely the worst idea for the NBA at this present moment. Let me preface this semi-selfish thought with a brief disclaimer, though: I know for a fact that this is not going to happen, and for good reasons. The league will not risk it. Finishing the regular season—or even playing some pre-playoff tune-up games—isn’t even a desired change. It is, however, a plea to enhance the quality of the eventual playoffs. Hear me out.

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When the NBA does make its return, all signs point to the league jumping straight into the postseason (or perhaps an abbreviated finish to the season to satisfy TV contracts). Now, rewind your mind to the very beginning of the season. Isn’t the quality of basketball not that great? Aren’t players a little rusty? Isn’t it noticeable that some guys are far from being in game shape? Now fast forward to the upcoming playoffs and apply those answers to the situation at hand.

It has been three months since professional basketball was last played, and the league plans to dive into the games that frequently showcase the highest level of intensity. Call me crazy, but this seems like a recipe for some pretty ugly basketball.

Having said all of this, the NBA picking up exactly where it left off simply will not happen. As previously stated, player safety is paramount. With the league angling to spend the remainder of the season in one location, including all 30 teams as opposed to just the playoff-bound 16 would drastically increase the number of bodies within their presently undetermined destination. Not only could this become a logistical disaster, but it could potentially turn into a health and public relations nightmare as well.

Do I want more basketball? You bet I do. But do I want the players, coaches, and league staff to be more at risk than ever before while NBA executives simultaneously get torn down by national media? Not one bit.