OKC Thunder: 5 key issues players cite for hesitancy to restart season
As NBA gears up to resume the season, a group of players is hesitant citing 5 specific issues.
A conference call spearheaded by Kyrie Irving on Friday night (June 12) included approximately 80 NBA players. Those in attendance were primarily composed of players who had questions or doubts about restarting the NBA season. The group included both players who were hesitant for a return to action, as well as OKC Thunder captain and NBPA president Chris Paul and players who represented the group who desire a return.
Although one main topic was at the heart of the group pushing not to return there were a number of other issues on the players’ minds as well.
Since the suspension, Paul has worked closely with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Michelle Roberts, the executive director of the NBPA to resolve the potential roadblocks to the restart. Throughout the three months, Paul has answered questions of individuals and been involved with group conference calls to ascertain how committed players were to return or what their specific reservations were.
The following is the list of the five main concerns and the associated status of resolution for each issue.
5 key issues NBA players cite for hesitancy to return:
Health and injury:
There isn’t much the NBA can do to ensure players won’t sustain injuries. Teams will need to find the right balance of ramping up activity and manage playing time. No player wants to sustain an injury but free agents and players set to sign rookie extensions have more at stake.
To that end, Adrian Wojnarowski’s tweet notes several young stars discussed the possibility of insurance allowances with the NBPA officials on Friday.
Bam Adebayo, De’Aaron Fox, Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum – members of the 2017 draft class soon eligible rookie extensions -- are talking with NBPA about facilitating with league on insurance allowances for players. https://t.co/lRskauNjSK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 13, 2020
As for the coronavirus, temperature taking and testing will occur daily. Zach Lowe outlines the specifics and comfort level of medical advisors. One trusted source throughout the pandemic is Dr. Anthony Fauci who told Stadium anchor Michael Kim “I was very pleased to see that the intent was not reckless at all.” Fauci has reviewed the plan, calling it creative and stated the key was the NBA making sure the bubble begins with no positive cases.
In addition, as noted in our article the NBA will start testing every other day as of June 23rd and then daily two days prior to teams departing for Orlando.