Are we sure resuming the NBA is the best way to go?

Factor Three: Social justice issues

While Winslow and Ariza’s concerns seemed to be centered around the dangers of COVID-19, this is the issue that sat on Irving and Bradley’s minds. On May 25th, the world watched in shock as Minneapolis police officers knelt on the neck of George Floyd, suffocating him, and ultimately, killing him.

Following Floyd’s death, a number of NBA players, both past and present, took to their cities to aid in the protests, and lend their voices to the rallies. Arguably, the national attention that this tragedy has gotten has been aided by the fact that the world had nothing else to divide their attention. With no sports and many TV programs being halted due to the virus, people could give their undivided attention to this issue, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Irving and Bradley’s concern was that, by bringing back the NBA and starting in a high stakes situation right away, the league would draw attention away from social issues which, now more than ever, need to have a focus put on them.

While that may not be totally true, it is possible to focus on both sports and social issues, it hasn’t helped that the league thus far has not made any plans on how to deal with this issue. While many players are most likely sitting out due to the virus, this is an issue that could drive more players, and possibly fans, away.

Which leads to the biggest issue…