Some NBA teams to reopen training facilities on Friday
With states and local governments beginning to loosen lockdown restrictions in the United States, the NBA authorized the reopening of some team training facilities starting Friday.
However, The Washington Post noted that different states’ timelines for reopening sectors of the economy would affect the NBA’s plans.
Case in point: Georgia “reopened gyms and other nonessential business” last Friday, The Washington Post reported.
As a result, this gives the Atlanta Hawks the green light to open its gym.
But stay-at-home orders remain in most U.S. states.
No team workouts – for now
But that doesn’t mean normal team workouts at team training facilities are on the immediate horizon.
Individual workout sessions would be the first step.
As ESPN reported on Sunday, “teams will remain prohibited from holding group workouts or organized team activities.”
Nor does it mean that the NBA is closer to revealing a timetable for a possible resumption of the 2019-20 season. (The season was suspended on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus.)
Days after the season was suspended, NBA owners and league officials acknowledged that mid-June would be the best-case scenario for the league to resume this season.
Training facilities
Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he’s waiting for the NBA to provide vital information to teams regarding training facility protocol.
“The minute it’s safe, we want to try to get back and get the guys practicing and getting ready for games — but we are not there yet,” Cuban told CNN on Sunday.
Like the Hawks, the Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder could have lockdown restrictions lifted on May 1.
Others must train at home
But what does this mean for teams in states that haven’t loosened lockdown restrictions?
For now, nothing’s really changed yet.
Which means that players must continue to work out at home. Or find training facilities near where they live.
But changes are coming, with the league playing a supporting role.
“The NBA would take the initiative in finding gym spots for Knicks and Nets players to work out in whatever city they are quarantining in on Friday,” the New York Post reported.
Patience is needed
Weeks after the season was suspended, the NBA still doesn’t have a clear picture about a path to return.
Above all, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver insists patience is needed to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citing public health experts in an early April news conference, Silver said: “…The virus is potentially moving faster than maybe we thought at that point, so maybe it will peak earlier. What that means … whether it be in late spring or early summer, is unknown to me.”