The coronavirus pandemic has put nearly every single in-season sport across the world on hold. This is certainly the case for the NBA, which actually created a domino effect by suspending the season last Wednesday.
Commissioner Adam Silver has tried to make himself visible over the past week. He has appeared on both the NBA on TNT as well as an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols to discuss the current state of the league. He's also discussed potential courses of action when, and if the season can be resumed.
Silver previously suggested the cancellation of the remainder of the year was still on the table. New Orleans Pelicans executive David Griffin thinks that is merely a smokescreen.
Griffin said canceling the rest of the regular season is “not at all on (the NBAs) mind.” Per Will Guillory of The Athletic.
David Griffin: The idea of canceling the season is not at all on (the NBA's) mind.
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) March 21, 2020
Indeed, the league is exploring the availability of arenas through the month of August. This seems to indicate they are willing to extend the timeline quite a bit.
Of course, this would also create complications with respect to allotted offseason time. It would also affect participation in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, if they are still held.
That said, Silver was confident the NBA would finish out the year. Griffin certainly hopes so, for his part.
The Pelicans were three-and-a-half games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth and final playoff spot prior to the suspension of play. However, they have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the NBA, and Griffin and company are certainly hoping they will have the opportunity to make one final push.
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