Basketball

• NBA, ESPN Working On Televised H-O-R-S-E Competition

  Apr 7, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  With the season on indefinite hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA is seeking new and intriguing ways to captivate their audience. One such idea is currently in the midst of negotiation. According to multiple sources, the NBA and ESPN are working on hosting a televised H-O-R-S-E competition, including several well-known players. The competition will presumably proceed in the traditional manner, except each player will likely use their own court at home. Specific details, including when the competition will occur and who will be participating, have yet to be determined.

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• NBA, ESPN Working On Televised H-O-R-S-E Competition

  Apr 7, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  With the season on indefinite hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA is seeking new and intriguing ways to captivate their audience. One such idea is currently in the midst of negotiation. According to multiple sources, the NBA and ESPN are working on hosting a televised H-O-R-S-E competition, including several well-known players. The competition will presumably proceed in the traditional manner, except each player will likely use their own court at home. Specific details, including when the competition will occur and who will be participating, have yet to be determined.

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• Coronavirus Cases Rise in the NBA

  Mar 20, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  Recently, coronavirus cases have surged in the United States. The number of patients have increased exponentially over the past few days, leading to dire protocols and social distancing. This has been reflected in the world of sports. As of this week, 14 NBA players have tested positive for coronavirus. The most recent cases have been Marcus Smart, along with two unspecified players from the Lakers, one player from the Denver Nuggets, and three from the Philadelphia 76ers. Earlier in the week, four players from the Brooklyn Nets, including Kevin Durant, were revealed to have tested positive for the virus, following the first three cases, which were Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz along with the Pistons' Christian Wood.

  All of these players are currently being quarantined. However, testing is still underway – as this pandemic continues, more cases will inevitably come to light as the league, and the country as a whole, desperately attempts to contain the situation. With the current delay potentially lasting weeks, even months, and the conclusion of the season in question, the NBA has been forced to consider significant alterations to their present format, including permanent changes to the schedule for the regular season. For now, though, players, staff, and fans will have to cope with these circumstances, and the uncertainty of the coming future.

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• NBA Postpones Season in Response to Coronavirus

  Mar 11, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  The NBA has announced this evening that following Wednesday's games, the season will be suspended indefinitely to address coronavirus concerns. Their decision came after Utah Jazz all-star Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus. According to the Associated Press, games will not continue for at least two weeks. Furthermore, any team that has played the Jazz in the past 10 days have been mandated to self-quarantine, including the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and Oklahoma City Thunder, the latter of which they were scheduled to play tonight. However, teams are still allowed to practice.

  This statement comes after extensive discussion and consideration by the NBA over the past few days regarding how to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The NBA had warned its players and staff about the possibility of playing in empty arenas, and this was a step that was highly likely to be taken; the NCAA has already gone through with this decision for March Madness.

  The coronavirus continues to spread in the United States, now infecting over 1,000 people in this country. As the number of cases increase, it is not implausible to assume other leagues will follow in the NBA's footsteps. According to sources, the NBA will use the hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in accordance to this pandemic.

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• NBA Addresses Coronavirus Concerns

  Mar 9, 2020 SportZ 0 Comments

  Throughout the past few weeks, coronavirus has made global headlines and has caused widespread public concern. As it spreads throughout the United States, many sports associations, including the NBA, are forced to impose measures to reduce the risk of their players and coaches being infected.

  Certain methods are already starting to be enacted. According to various sources, teams are starting to limit locker room access, only allowing essential personnel to interact with the players. Additionally, each franchise is required to have several contingency plans in place by March 10, including arrangements with an infectious disease specialist and the designation of a specific facility to test for coronavirus. Recently, the league issued a warning to prepare to play in empty arenas. This has already started to happen in the EuroLeague.

  Fortunately, more drastic measures have not yet been taken. However, the reality is that as the coronavirus continues to spread, the situation will become more and more grave, and teams will have to respond accordingly. A conference call meeting between team owners has reportedly been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon to discuss how to combat the virus.

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