NBA discuss proactive steps re: coronavirus – Gallinari supports fan-less games if necessary

The NBA is staying proactive regarding how they handle the coronavirus while OKC Thunder power forward Danilo Gallinari offers his support for fan-less games if necessary.

The NBA has taken their first steps for how the league will initially address the coronavirus by limiting access to players. The OKC Thunder and every team will meet in a separate area for media interviews — think playoff podiums or preseason pressers. Access to the locker rooms will be limited to players, coaches and essential staff.

Even access following practice sessions will occur at these stations. The first of which occurred yesterday (Tuesday, March 10th) following the OKC Thunder practice. Players were also advised not to sign autographs or interact physically with fans. These are all initial steps being taken to err on the side of safety.  Although more may be coming as early as this week.

As for the players on the club, there is one who is was vocally supportive of the next level the league would move to if it becomes necessary. That is if the league has to play games without fans in attendance. That, of course, is Italian born Danilo Gallinari. Italy is the country hit second hardest by the coronavirus behind China. In response, Italians are on a countrywide quarantine. In essence, people are housebound leaving only for necessities like grocery shopping.

Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman offered quotes from Gallinari on the situation in her article today.

"“Having that situation in my country,” Gallinari said, “… I’m just trying to make sure my teammates understand the situation and they behave in the right way in order to prevent ourselves (from contracting the coronavirus), but also not just for us. Also other people that we get in contact with, especially traveling, at the arena with all the fans and stuff. But I think the NBA has done a great job giving us new rules to follow and be aware of the situation.”"

Gallinari also noted his country and parts of Europe which were more gravely affected began by playing games without fans prior to eventually canceling games altogether.

Clearly playing without fans isn’t ideal but as Gallinari says it’s better to be safe.

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In an article early Wednesday morning from ESPN writer Adrian Wojnarowski there is a Board of Governors conference call set to occur today. Another set of calls will occur on Thursday with General Managers and team Presidents as per Wojnarowski.

These calls will discuss proactive steps, consider the possibility of moving games to areas not infected or to the opposition’s court if their region is unaffected.

Another set of calls will occur on Thursday with General Managers and Team Presidents as the NBA stays on top of this situation and decides what is best for fans, the players and all involved.

Bill Simmons stated on his podcast that he believes the league will implement removing fans from games as early as this week.

The BNP Paribas Open (Tennis Tournament) held at Indian Wells has been postponed and several European FIFA is barring spectators for a two-week period to err on the side of safety.

Whether the OKC Thunder will play games without fans eventually will ultimately be a decision that the BoG and NBA decide in the coming days and weeks.

Moving forward the big question will be how this affects the NCAA March Madness Tournament.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.