Photo Credit: The National Basketball Association Feature NBA Opening Practice Facilities in Certain States by Andre Oge April 26, 2020 On Saturday, ESPN announced that the NBA will be allowing certain teams to open their practice facilities beginning May 1. The restriction is on a state per state basis, meaning that facilities will be opened in accordance with how much each individual state has eased stay-at-home orders. The other emphasis here is on practice facilities, meaning that players and staff in specific states can start going back to work. However, we are still far away from NBA arenas opening back up to fans and media. What does this mean for the NBA? The NBA has been officially shut down since March 11, 2020. Since then, it’s no secret that Adam Silver and the rest of the League have been working very hard to try to get things back to normal. Such efforts included hosting an NBA 2k20 players tournament, as well as a televised game of horse that included Chris Paul, Trae Young, and Tamika Catchings. The League has continued to find ways to innovate and adjust to the day by day turbulence caused by COVID-19. The move to open practice facilities is another step in that direction. It’s clear, though, that the NBA intends to be cautious, given the high danger posed by this virus. Proceeding with Caution This virus continues to prove itself as a constant and present threat. It has claimed the lives of thousands, including the mother of Minnesota Timberwolves center, Karl Anthony-Towns. The NBA is in no rush to expose fans, players, or any other staff to the virus’ reach. Obviously, the NBA will have to take a different direction when it comes to things such as player negotiations and the NBA draft. Other leagues, such as the WNBA and the NFL, have successfully used virtual options to conduct similar events. The NBA could easily do the same, and likely will. In fact, the League may have to settle for doing games without a live audience at all. Such a reality may be the future of sports, at least in the short term. In Conclusion Until the NBA resumes, fans may not necessarily be left out to dry. As states continue to ease restrictions, the NBA will likely continue to open up practice facilities nationally. Additionally, as of now, the 2020 NBA draft has not been delayed or rescheduled from June 25. The League does not seem to be slowing down ways to keep fans entertained, and will likely continue to promote content that does just that. In the meantime, to quench that basketball hunger, fans can tune into ESPN to watch “The Last Dance,” a documentary based on Michael Jordan’s last year with the Chicago Bulls. Now more than ever, it is important to remember that while these may not be ideal times, these are times we can get through, together. Post Views: 1,117 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Andre Oge Andre is the New York Knicks Lead Writer for DoubleGSports.com Latest posts by Andre Oge (see all) Kyrie Irving Rallies Players to Continue Fight Against Racism - June 14, 2020 The NBA is Back - June 4, 2020 Stephen Jackson, the NBA Community, Demand Justice for the Murder of George Floyd - May 29, 2020 NBA Opening Practice Facilities in Certain States - April 26, 2020 Related TopicsChris PaulKarl Anthony-TownsMichael JordanNBANBA 2k20NBA Draft 2020NFlTamika CatchingsThe Last DanceTrae YoungWNBA Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Passion For Sports Led Kelly Burke To Career As Broadcaster by Sunil Sunder Raj | posted on November 16, 2020 Women in Sports: Podcast Host, New York Riptide Sideline Reporter, Dani Wexelman by Luke Porco | posted on March 3, 2020 CBI to Utilize Experimental Men’s Basketball Rules Including Use of Quarters by Media Release | posted on March 9, 2017 Tim Capstraw reflects back on path to becoming Brooklyn Nets radio color analyst by Sunil Sunder Raj | posted on October 20, 2020 More in Feature You Know I’m Right, Episode 113: New York Post Columnist Phil Mushnick (Audio/Video) On the 113th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 112: New York Jets’ Insider Brian Costello (Audio/Video) On the 112th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 111: New York Giants’ Insider John Schmeelk (Audio/Video) On the 111th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 109: The Athletic’s Marc Carig (Audio/Video) On the 109th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... Jet Up; New York Jets select Mekhi Becton with 11th pick in 2020 NFL Draft You Know I’m Right, Episode 10: NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, WWE , UFC News And Rumors (Audio)