Originally Posted by
UrinalCake
I haven't read the latest information, but my understanding from prior discussions was that the players would all isolate themselves at a single complex near Disney world, and remain sequestered in order to allow the "bubble" to remain covid-free. This brings up a number of questions for me. And again, I haven't read through the latest stories so many some of these have already been answered:
- I understand isolating all of the players. You also have to isolate the coaches, assistants, and allow some number of family members. But as you start expanding the circle outwards to including more people, where do you draw the line for who gets sequestered? What about the refs? Or the auxiliary people required to put on the games - cameramen, announcers, facility crews to work the lights and sweep the floors, the marketing people who produce the hype videos on twitter, etc. What if one player has their own trainer, or their own massage therapist? What about food - does each team have their own caterers, and will that whole staff be sequestered too? If not, then there is some small amount of risk that the virus could be introduced.
- What happens if a player tests positive for covid? On JJ Redick's podcast from a couple weeks ago he described a letter that had been sent to the players from Adam Silver, things were in the very preliminary stages of discussion then but the message was that prior to the league resuming, all of the players would have to be willing to assume some level of risk. The consequence is that if a player tests positive, they will not immediately shut down the whole league. If they're not ready to assume that risk, then they cannot restart. Assuming this live of reasoning still holds, then if a player does test positive will they simply remove him and the rest of the team continue playing?
- What sort of social dynamic will be in play as the players remain isolated. As the playoffs drag on and certain teams advance, will some players feel a part of themselves that doesn't care as much about winning because they really want to go home and see their families?
I think this is all fascinating and I'm really interested to see how it plays out. I'm curious how playing in empty arenas will be for the players. I'm also curious as to what sort of lessons will be learned and what other leagues can take from it, including college basketball. We shall see...