Per ESPN Senior Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke with members of the NBA Player's Association on Friday and answered questions regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the status of the current season among many other topics.
Among topics discussed, Silver reportedly told the NBPA members that if the NBA season would resume, it would be safer to play in a single location or two but at the same time, that the league doesn't need to make such a decision in May or June.
Silver also discussed the playoffs and whether the seven-game format would be shortened due to the obvious circumstances. The commissioner stated that he's still hoping for seven-game series' every round and that playoff series would go faster if play was isolated and the need for travel was eliminated.
Sites like Orlando and Las Vegas are considered the top options if the NBA is to implement a “bubble” approach but that other cities have inquired per Wojnarowski.
NBAPA president Chris Paul also expressed concern that teams have been pressuring players to train at newly re-opened team facilities despite that being totally optional.
One of the biggest changes that could come if the season is resumed is playing games without fans. With attendance making up 40 percent of the league's revenue, Silver stated that the league is working on ways to creatively deliver games to fans through TV. Silver also told players to prepare to play games without fans next year if no vaccine for COVID-19 is found.
One of the biggest questions regarding the return of the season is whether or not the teams will automatically start the playoffs when the season resumes. According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, Silver is aware that there would be a “series of bad options” regarding the fates of teams on the playoff bubble. The commissioner also stated that he could not guarantee those teams a chance to compete for a playoff spot if the hiatus extends long enough.
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