Mauricio Codocea
05/23/2020 - 19:18
- Clarín.com
- sports
What was being discussed so far unofficially took nuances that lead everything towards the final: that the NBA resume in July at the Disney facilities in Orlando, Florida. From the league itself they expressed it through social networks with a text signed by Mike Bass, head of communications for the entity.
The NBA, in conjunction with the Players Association, is in talks with the Walt Disney company about resuming the 2019/20 season in late July at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Florida as the only venue for games, practices and accommodation, ”said the statement.
Bass added: "Our priority remains the health and safety of everyone involved and we are working with public health experts and government officials on a package of guidelines to ensure that medical and protective protocols are appropriate ."
The Visa Athetic Center is another of the spaces in the complex where the NBA would resume. (Photo: ESPN World Wide of Sports).
The enclosure has more than 90 hectares and three stadiums that, according to the official NBA site, could lead to multiple courts. In fact, that space is used for the Jr. NBA World Cup, which groups no less than 64 youth teams (32 men and 32 women).
To this is added what was previously reported by the platform The Athletic, which published that the NBA sent a survey to the 30 managers of the teams to take into account their opinions regarding the format that the league will have in this unprecedented situation of having all teams and games in one place.
The Visa Athetic Center is another of the spaces in the complex where the NBA would resume. (Photo: ESPN World Wide of Sports).
The details to define:
* To end the regular phase and start directly in the playoffs with the positions as they were until March 12, the last day that all the games that were stipulated for the day were played.
* Add more than the usual 16 playoff teams , either in a previous mini-contest to determine the last classified or make a first round with group stage. Here it would be necessary to define how many teams are included.
The Arena, one of the three stadiums in the complex where the NBA would play again. The Visa Athetic Center is another of the spaces in the complex where the NBA would resume. (Photo: ESPN World Wide of Sports)
* Resume the regular season with all 30 teams and have them all play the same number of games.
* Resume the regular season with all 30 teams and also have that qualifying mini-tournament for the last tickets to the postseason.
* "Pre-season" matches for each team to prepare: 2, 3, 4 or 5.
* Total matches for the regular phase (instead of the usual 82): 72 or 76.
A map showing the partial view of the Walt Disney Resort. Below, with the blue marks, the spaces that the NBA would use. (Photo: ESPN World Wide of Sports).
* Playoff format: the traditional one, divided into East and West conferences, or relocate all teams without distinction.
* Potential league end dates: September 15, October 1, October 15, or November 1.