Joe Tsai Suggests Owner Opinions On Return-To-Play Seems Dictated By Standings

[RealGM Wiretap]

Joe Tsai suggested during a virtual seminar last week that he's under "a gag order" on expressing his opinions on how the NBA should move forward amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re one individual team but we’re also part of the league, so I’m kind of under a gag order as to what I really think about what the NBA should do,” said Tsai.

Tsai said opinions on what the NBA should do differ depending on the situation teams find themselves in this season and that it seems to follow everyone's self-interest.

“The reality is everybody is still trying to figure things out with the hope that maybe we can reopen the season —the current season— because ... think about this: the Los Angeles Lakers or the Milwaukee Bucks, they’re in first place when the season got suspended. There’s a chance of them going for the championship. Of course, they want to play. The players want to play. The ownership wants to play.

“Then, there are other teams, if you’re in 28th place, maybe this season isn’t that important. So there’s a difference of opinion among the owners as well.”

Via NetsDaily

[popfan]

The same is true in Euroleague for their top team -- Anadolu Efes. Efes' coach Ergin Ataman is clamoring for the resumption of the season. After Milan coatch Ettore Messina's recent public statement regarding the improbability of rebooting the season, Ataman fired back (like Lebron) to the media that the Euroleague season would resume in July. Meanwhile Jerry West is lobbying to give Kawhi another shot at an NBA title. The Efes, the Clips and the Lakers deserve to dance. But the 2019-20 season is over. Period. Accept it and move on.

[TheCage4]

Even if the season resumes and there is a Finals series, no one in their right mind will view the winner as an actual champion.

This is a lost season regardless of the eventual outcome. Put it to bed already and move on.

[SlimD235]

If that's the case, just start with the playoffs. Thosr that want to play and compete for a championship get to...those that are out and don't,...don't.

[Revived]

If that's the case, just start with the playoffs. Thosr that want to play and compete for a championship get to...those that are out and don't,...don't.

It‘s not that simple though. If they resumed the season and only did playoffs and say they quarantined players with all the games at Disney World or wherever and THEN staff or players still somehow begin to test positive?

The NBA’s image would be shot in the face of the public and could maybe bankrupt the entire league.

The “worst case scenario” is one that would hurt all 30 teams equally, not just the playoff ones.

This is not a black and white decision, there’s many financial, political, and economical angles to it.