Turbulent days in the NBA because of COVID-19

Every day that passes in NBA it’s a raffle. Players infected with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to people with the virus appear almost daily, leading to the isolation of groups of baskets and teams not having the staff to appear on the field.

In recent days, about nine of the 30 NBA teams have had at least one member according to the league’s sanitation protocol, and on Saturday, the Philadelphia Sixers had to go out and play with seven players.

Sunday, the day when, according to The Associated Press, at least 15 players were not allowed to play for reasons related to COVID-19, the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat had to be postponed. Of the 15, seven were from Boston and, after announcing a suspicious case in Miami and how long it would take until the possible contact of the player, it was decided to postpone the game. It was the second game postponed this season.

Even more star players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (Boston), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn), Michael Porter Jr. (Denver), Seth Curry (Philadelphia) and Bradley Beal (Washington) lost their games according to league protocols.

With this, we can now see how effective and serious a “bubble” was. At the time, it was a fantasy, it came true and it worked great. But they tried to extend the season, believing that during the campaign the vaccine would arrive, which arrived, but ordinary citizens have not yet received it. And they will continue to go through ups and downs with COVID “, analyzed the leader and analyst Tony Ruiz, to Primera Hora.

He recalled that unlike the “bubble” – set at the Disney World complex in Orlando to end last season without positive cases of coronavirus – players are not divided at the beginning of the campaign, despite the fact that there is no audience in the stands.

“We come from a festive season and they are no longer in a “bubble”. I’m at home or in hotels. They go out, they have contact, they go to the restaurant … to share … and unfortunately they pay the price. This is the result of your further expansion and not going from court to home or from home to court. Unfortunately, this has an effect, “he added.

Ruiz said organizations should start “tightening the screws” on their anti-virus protocols and stressed to their players that ultimately the responsibility for staying healthy, as well as their family, team and organization, lies with them. in players, who, given the bad decisions they make, end up affecting their work as a professional, the image of the organization and that of the NBA.

Also, having to watch team games with a bench that has only two or three players or not being able to see your entire favorite team running at full capacity would affect the mood of the spectators and fans.

“It affects, but there is nothing left to see,” Ruiz said. “It’s an attraction for fans. Citizens are looking for something to have fun. It affects you as a fan, because you want to see horses on the field and, when they are not resting, they are outside the COVID protocol. So, you wonder when will be the day when the players are consistent and play for the money paid ”.

“Of course it affects the image, the project, the product. Organizations need to gather nuts, but success is in the hands of the player. That he takes care of himself and his family, so that he can then fulfill his obligations and organization “, he added.

Another thing Ruiz pointed out is that it’s not just COVID-19 outbreaks. The idea of ​​hosting a 72-game tournament just two months after finishing the previous one also has an impact on players and organizations.

“Three interesting things are happening,” Ruiz said. “First of all, it is the first time that a professional league has less time between seasons. It’s been 72 days (rest) and that’s why there are a lot of players out of condition and there are a lot of injuries. Many. It’s shocking. We were less than a month and they are already injured players, “he said.

“Secondly, the COVID thing, which is something very serious and it was seen that the impact of the second wave was approaching and, despite the fact that the vaccine came out, NBA commissioner (Adam Silver) said that the players will not go over he. citizenship and were to wait their turn to be vaccinated“He continued.

And the third thing is what you give the fanatic. They (NBA), who are generally the number one to give a show, if you look at the standing position, there is no team that dominates on a large scale and is extremely balanced, because every day you do not know what you will find . Players who are resting or under the COVID protocol, incomplete teams, injured players and I think this beginning of the season will be like that, but I think there must be a time when stability arrives “, he explained.

The coach said that after the experience of the ball, the NBA probably thought it could transfer that success to an uninsulated environment and that the players would apply what they learned in Orlando. But obviously that didn’t happen.

And, as Silver anticipated, the season will continue, unless the cases get out of hand. And it would be expected that when this point is reached, a decision will be made or waiting to be vaccinated, to return to a “bubble” or a new idea.

“I do not think they will finish. Incomplete suspensions and teams will follow. The vaccine is already there. The positive cases will continue until it is their turn to get vaccinated, which then I think will improve things and pass before achieving what everyone wants, which is normal, “said Ruiz.” The cost of the image, of advertising and investment is too big to suspend the league ”.