Unless the dozens of NBA players currently against the season resuming get their way, it will restart on July 30 at Walt Disney World in Orlando. The season has been suspended since back on March 11 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Though, there’s some good news on this front.
Dr. Anthony Fauci supports the NBA’s plan to resume the season
As the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since all the way back in 1984, Dr. Fauci is seen as the foremost expert on the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s now coming out in support of the NBA’s plan to resume its 2019-20 season in a bubble city at Walt Disney World.
This is no small thing. Some NBA players are concerned about the ability of the league to protect them and their families from the ongoing pandemic. After all, Florida is currently the epicenter of COVID-19 after governor Ron DeSantis opened the state earlier than others.
Will the 2019-20 NBA season be played?
Momentum continues to swing in the direction of the season resuming at Walt Disney World. But in addition to health concerns, some players believe that it’s not a great time to restart the season amid ongoing civil strife and division following the murder of George Floyd back on May 25.
That adds a completely different layer to this. Those players argue that focus should be on racial equality and police reform. Those on the other side, myself included, believe that sports should and can act as an outlet during one of the most trying times in American history.
As it is, there’s now two things in the way of the 2019-20 NBA season resuming late next month. The hope here is that everything works out and we’ll see basketball being played in Orlando on July 30.