Trae Young celebrates a bucket at the annual NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2018. The NBA’s secondary bubble idea hopes to provide a Summer League-type experience for young players on rebuilding teams.Garrett Ellwood / Getty Images
Another NBA bubble is a good idea?
Despite 25 players testing positive for COVID-19, the NBA is moving forward with its plan to restart the season in Orlando, Florida on July 30. And now, the league can expand its comeback to include all 30 teams, with a secondary team on-site.
By Jackie MacMullan From ESPN: “The NBA is in deep discussion about a second ‘bubble’ in Chicago for the eight teams that were not invited to play in Florida … … The game would be similar to a summer league format, with the specific parameters still being discussed … The second bubble will be created at a substantial cost to be divided among the 30 teams. “
It is too early to say for sure, since Orlando has not yet taken off. The Clippers, meanwhile, closed their practice facilities Thursday when one of their travel groups preparing for the trip to Florida was diagnosed with the virus.
People in and around the NBA questioned the league’s motivation to return to Orlando during a pandemic, and a Western Conference executive recently noted: “It’s about money, clearly“
Of course, a new bubble in Chicago could help the Hawks, Hornets, Bulls, Cavaliers, Pistons, Warriors, Timberwolves and Knicks to get closer to fulfilling their regional television contracts. The report details a plan that involves “approximately two weeks of practice and then four games for each team.”
By Brian Windhorst From ESPN, “Operating the three-month end of the NBA season at the Walt Disney World Resort will cost the NBA more than $ 150 million.”
That includes eight games each for 22 teams, plus playoffs. The proposed limited schedule for Chicago would cost a fraction of that. And the main motivation would be basketball itself, specifically the need for young players to have as much time on the court as possible to advance their development.
“We can’t let these guys sit from March 11 to December without something,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey told ESPN. “It’s going to hurt their careers. It’s too long a layoff.”
That’s why the NBA has summer leagues (the Utah and Sacramento leagues would have already started under normal circumstances). If the Las Vegas Summer League makes a profit, it’s a bonus. The biggest goal is to get prospects in front of the coaches for a few weeks and on the court against similar competition.
So Steph Curry won’t play in Chicago, at least he shouldn’t.
Jeff Chiu / Associated Press
Instead, the likes of Eric Paschall, Jordan Poole, Damion Lee, and the rest of the young Warriors can go back to work, even if it’s just for a few games. Sitting for more than nine months, assuming the 2020-21 season begins around Christmas, would be a severe blow.
For the 22 teams preparing for Orlando, they have a chance to win an NBA title. Even without reaching the ultimate goal, the playoff chase itself could provide an invaluable experience for rookies Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, among many others.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are trying to make their way together. LeBron James will attempt to advance his legacy. There are countless stories.
The NBA will make up about half of the lost regular season games and all playoffs. That is a financial blessing and more than enough to absorb the additional costs of $ 150 million.
If you have to distinguish between basketball and economic reasons in Orlando, there isn’t one in Chicago. It’s about the game.
The same concerns persist for both scenarios: Would the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association put players in jeopardy to protect what could be more than $ 1 billion in revenue?
Current events may foster cynicism, but the bubble may be one of the safest places in the country. It could also be a disaster – the range is so extreme. However, a Chicago bubble would have the benefit of learning from Orlando.
More importantly, the league needs to adapt to the world as it is. A shot may not be available for December, and the 2020-21 season may start without the assistance of fans and could end in another bubble.
Chicago could be another test for the new reality of the NBA.
Meanwhile, the league has already opened a transaction window (June 23-30) for all 30 teams. Some idle teams took advantage, with the Pistons signing Justin Patton and the Knicks claiming two players without exemptions (Theo Pinson and Jared Harper).
Just as the 22 playoff teams can add substitute players in July for those who choose not to participate in the Orlando bubble (including Avery Bradley, Davis Bertans, Trevor Ariza, etc.), the league should allow the same in Chicago.
That would allow franchises like the Warriors, Cavaliers, and Pistons to bring additional perspectives in place of the veteran stars who should otherwise be enjoying their spare time (Curry, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, etc.).
Perhaps an all-out tournament in Chicago, seeded by rankings, to establish a NIT-like champion is an option. The betting line would come out strong on Trae Young as a mini-MVP.
Those who are not comfortable might choose not to participate without punishment (and unlike Orlando, where players will receive a portion of their wages for sitting voluntarily, Chicago should be completely optional).
Fans are eager for basketball, and most players are eager to get back on the court. The NBA needs to get back on the court … for sure.
If you can in Orlando, you should do it in Chicago, too.
Email Eric Pincus at [email protected], and follow him on Twitter, @EricPincus.
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