NBA restart: Adam Silver worried about major coronavirus spread as it could end season

While NBA commissioner Adam Silver is optimistic about resumption of league at Walt Disney World Complex in Orlando next month, he expressed concerns over stumbling blocks that could derail NBA’s lucrative plan. But before taking such a massive step, re are multiple important questions to be answered.

What happens if a player tests positive for COVID-19 during season in Orlando?

In that case, a player would require to refrain from exercising from two weeks, which would automatically rule him out for an entire round of playoffs. Adam Silver stated that league would still keep moving forward despite one or two positive cases,  matter who player is. Be it star LeBron James, reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo or even a rookie player, show must go on.

“If we had a single player test positive, frankly, wher that player was an All-Star or a journeyman, that player would n go into quarantine. We would n be tracking any players or or personnel that that player had been in contact with, and even potentially supplement daily testing just to ensure that ors have t been contaminated. But we would continue,” Adam Silver told select media in a media conference call on Friday that also featured National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) executive director Michele Roberts, NBPA president Chris Paul of Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat forward Andre Iguodala.

READ: NBA Restart: Davis Bertans, Trevor Ariza To Opt Out Of Remaining 2019-20 Season

What if multiple players test positive inside NBA bubble? Will that be end?

Although re is some uncertainty around league’s preparation to combat such a situation, Silver said he won't hesitate to halt or completely stop season under extreme circumstances to prevent furr dam.

“If we were to have a significant spread of coronavirus through our community, that ultimately might lead us to stopping,” Silver said.

As per NBA’s guidelines to restart season, players will be tested frequently and will be allowed to join ir respective teams only if y return with multiple negative tests. “We’re working closely with Players’ Association, with Disney, and with public health officials in Florida as to what that line should be. And it hasn’t been precisely designed. I think we want to get down on ground and start to see how our testing’s working and how protocols are working and n we’ll make decisions as we go," he said.

READ: NBA Restart Could Be In Jeopardy As COVID-19 Cases In Florida Soar Past 100,000 Mark

NBA Restart at Disney World: Stuff of dreams nightmare?

According to Florida Department of Health, nearly 9,000 new coronavirus cases in Florida were registered on Friday, crushing previous single-day high of 5,511 cases. Meanwhile, Orange County reported a record high 1,051 cases with a positive rate of 17.9%. Later, on Friday, state anunced that it will close all bars.

sudden spike in positive coronavirus cases in Florida has caught attention of team officials, GMs and players. Adam Silver ackwledged NBA's mammoth risk despite significant health-related consequences involved. “ level of concern has increased, t just because of increased levels (of coronavirus cases) in Florida, but throughout country,” 58-year-old said. “ options are risk-free right w. Yet we can’t sit on sidelines indefinitely, and we must adapt. We believe it will be safer on our campus than off it. But this is t business as usual,” he said about NBA bubble plan.

Ar teworthy point addressed in conference call by Adam Silver was presence of Disney resort employees on-site as y could possibly carry virus into bubble and infect ors. “Of course, we designed our campus, in essence, to isolate ourselves from whatever level of cases was in surrounding community,” Silver said. “But since we designed our initial protocol, we are continuing to work with Disney on testing of at least a subset of ir employees that could potentially be in same room as our players, and anyone else who’s tested daily on our campus. So we are satisfied that, once we work through those additional measures with Disney, we will continue to have a safe setting for us to resume our season.”

READ: Why Does LeBron James Want NBA Restart While Kyrie Irving Stands Opposed?

Meanwhile on Friday evening, NBA and NBPA came toger to finalise a comprehensive plan for NBA restart on July 30. plan lists down stringent health and safety protocols, a single-site campus at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and collective action to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.

“We have worked toger with Players Association to establish a restart plan that prioritizes health and safety, preserves competitive fairness and provides a platform to address social justice issues,” explained Silver before adding: “We are grateful to our longtime collaborator Disney for its role in playing host and making this return to play possible, and we also thank public health officials and infectious disease specialists who helped guide creation of comprehensive medical protocols and protections.”

On same day, it was reported that 16 NBA players tested positive for coronavirus out of 302, a 5.3% rate of positive tests leaguewide. Nikola Jokic, Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker, Alex Len, Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick Jones Jr were named apart from two unnamed Suns players, who are also reportedly included in this group. 

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How does NBA bubble plan appear after 16 NBA players test positive?

Amid tension surrounding NBA restart, Adam Silver was rar 'relieved' after looking at number of cases as team officials were bracing for a much higher positive rate. "One thing we're learning with this virus is, so much is unpredictable. We're t saying full steam ahead matter what happens. We all talk daily, and we're gonna see how this continues to play out. But we feel very comfortable right w with where we are."

NBA restart at Disney World restart is scheduled to commence on July 30. Teams will play eight games, followed by usual playoff stretch with seven-game series. Lastly, Adam Silver revealed NBA's future broadcast plans, stating that games will be presented with enhanced audio for players and coaches coupled with never-before-used camera angles for fans. 

NBA is scheduled to restart on 30 July as  following 22 teams will travel to Florida on 7 July. 

Eastern Conference: Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards 

Western Conference: LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns.

NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on 30 September.