Woj: Some Players getting cold feet about playing in Orlando

[levon]

Chopping off your nose to spite your face is the expression here.

This could lose the players hundreds of millions of dollars, money they could use strategically to keep pressure on social reform.

People need to use the money they make and the platform they have to keep the fire going for years, social reform isn't about chucking everything in the fire at once and making the biggest possible flame, you want to keep the flame going and keep the pressure on changes to happen. It takes time and intelligent thinking.

This is why I'm annoyed at folks who act like this proposal is the best thing for players.

How about:
Pay players more for incurring extra risk to themselves and loved ones, not just with covid but heightened injury risk as Spida brought up.

Can't pay them more because of this recession? Establish a plan to issue more payments when the NBA inevitably goes on the upswing again, even if that's past their playing days.

Don't want to go down the path of negotiating with players for due payment? Create a general fund. For each of the original players that return to Orlando, contribute X money to the fund and have it go straight to charities voted on by players.

Don't have that money now? Issue debt, or sign a contract to do it in a smaller but sustained way for years to come.

There are a lot more concessions the billionaires can make. Don't let anyone fool you that this is the best offer on the table.

[Billy Goat]

I think, ironically, you might be missing the middle ground here. NBA players aren't "mad" that they're viewed as entertainers. They're advocating for a world where you don't view them as just entertainers but people who can use their platforms to create change. Everybody who accumulates a certain amount of wealth and a certain following automatically becomes amplified, no matter what their original hustle was. NBA players shouldn't be the exception.

Sports and athletes have historically been catalysts for social change. Sports have united and divided nations. It's your prerogative to try to filter that part out and focus on what happens between the lines, and it's theirs to use their voice, as you said.

But I think this is the subtlety people are missing: by talking about fans this way, they're not expressing disdain or contempt towards fans. It's such a privileged position to sit there and think Lou Williams has it out for you. On the contrary: putting your image at risk among the people who generate revenue for you to express what you believe is an act of compassion, not of contempt. This is why it bothers us when people we love disagree with our viewpoints, and why we try to talk it out. You care more about the other person than maintaining some rosy perception of you.

I'm not suggesting Lou Will loves us all. All I'm saying is players are trying to work out the world they want. Evidently they don't all agree, because they're all different human beings. To suggest that they're "mad" is already putting yourself on the defensive, and is again coming from a place of privilege. I promise you that you and an NBA player are not truly at odds.

Thats my point though. Just because I dont care what they have to say, isn't me saying therefore you should "shut up and dribble". I personally just dont care. But Im also not one sitting here saying they shouldn't voice these things. If they want too, go right ahead. Just because I dont care about their views on crap doesnt mean others dont, so go do all the stuff you want, I just dont personally care. Again we are stuck in this crappy place now a days of, you're either completely with us or you're against us mindset.

My point overall is, you're an entertainer, that is literally your job. Dont get angry that a good chunk of people view you just as an entertainer and dont care what your personal views on things are. Also not everyone in that group that doesnt care, aren't the idiot Laura Ingrahams telling you to shut up and dribble either. There is a good chunk of people, that enjoy the entertainment you put on, then once that is over check out and go back to their lives. You want to go do all this activism? Cool man I am 100% for anyone doing sticking up for what they believe in, no matter their occupation or lack of occupation. Doesnt mean Im going to sit around and listen to though, but that also doesn't mean since Im not going to sit around and listen to it, that I want it shut down. There is a middle ground.

Sure, and I get that, and I get why you're on the defensive: because you think you're among the middle-ground people. I still think you missed the crux of my message because you're still framing players as mad, when I really don't think that's the case:

But I think this is the subtlety people are missing: by talking about fans this way, they're not expressing disdain or contempt towards fans. It's such a privileged position to sit there and think Lou Williams has it out for you. On the contrary: putting your image at risk among the people who generate revenue for you to express what you believe is an act of compassion, not of contempt.

Players will never admit this, but them getting a taste of no responsibility or commitments , while having full support from the league and the media is what’s driving this. What’s the incentive to play? Especially for the generational wealth guys who run the league. The vibe the players give off is they resent the fact they’re basketball players and outright dislike the fans who support the sport. Everyone is free to do what they want, but if they were concerned about the long term health of the sport they’d be itching to play. But it’s hard to go back to work after having so much free time and unlimited cash.

[mg]

Chopping off your nose to spite your face is the expression here.

This could lose the players hundreds of millions of dollars, money they could use strategically to keep pressure on social reform.

People need to use the money they make and the platform they have to keep the fire going for years, social reform isn't about chucking everything in the fire at once and making the biggest possible flame, you want to keep the flame going and keep the pressure on changes to happen. It takes time and intelligent thinking.

Maybe some of these guys don't want to be treated like animals in a circus and stuck in a bubble for several months just to entertain you and me (not to mention to put many millions in the pocket of the owners).
Maybe the bigger impact would be to just refuse to play at this point considering the social issues now playing out in this nation. This isn't a non contact sport like golf where they even had some positive tests this week. The president of the union even concedes that a player is going to eventually test positive if they go ahead with this current proposal.

Also the 22 team plan is a ridiculous money grab. The smart thing to do would be to limit the number of players and time in the bubble by taking the top 8 teams at most. Of course the NBA and it's partners are solely about making the most possible money and I fail to see how that keeps the pressure on social reform.

[levon]

Players will never admit this, but them getting a taste of no responsibility or commitments , while having full support from the league and the media is what’s driving this. What’s the incentive to play? Especially for the generational wealth guys who run the league. The vibe the players give off is they resent the fact they’re basketball players and outright dislike the fans who support the sport. Everyone is free to do what they want, but if they were concerned about the long term health of the sport they’d be itching to play. But it’s hard to go back to work after having so much free time and unlimited cash.

Why do you feel the bolded?

I feel that you can more easily frame their outspokenness as a constructive vehicle of change. Criticism != not caring about the well-being of the sport. There was a time when Bill Russell was called a baboon too. He's now hailed, and rightfully so, as a legend in every respect.

These types of things are going to always garner attrition in the time in which they happen. If you zoom out and wait a few decades, you're in a much better position to evaluate its effects.

I suspect that if you talked to an NBA player, you wouldn't espouse this position. It's reasonable to be skeptical of rock stars bringing in dough, but there's a point where that skepticism grows into a much less ethical position.

[Duke4life831]

I think, ironically, you might be missing the middle ground here. NBA players aren't "mad" that they're viewed as entertainers. They're advocating for a world where you don't view them as just entertainers but people who can use their platforms to create change. Everybody who accumulates a certain amount of wealth and a certain following automatically becomes amplified, no matter what their original hustle was. NBA players shouldn't be the exception.

Sports and athletes have historically been catalysts for social change. Sports have united and divided nations. It's your prerogative to try to filter that part out and focus on what happens between the lines, and it's theirs to use their voice, as you said.

But I think this is the subtlety people are missing: by talking about fans this way, they're not expressing disdain or contempt towards fans. It's such a privileged position to sit there and think Lou Williams has it out for you. On the contrary: putting your image at risk among the people who generate revenue for you to express what you believe is an act of compassion, not of contempt. This is why it bothers us when people we love disagree with our viewpoints, and why we try to talk it out. You care more about the other person than maintaining some rosy perception of you.

I'm not suggesting Lou Will loves us all. All I'm saying is players are trying to work out the world they want. Evidently they don't all agree, because they're all different human beings. To suggest that they're "mad" is already putting yourself on the defensive, and is again coming from a place of privilege. I promise you that you and an NBA player are not truly at odds.

Thats my point though. Just because I dont care what they have to say, isn't me saying therefore you should "shut up and dribble". I personally just dont care. But Im also not one sitting here saying they shouldn't voice these things. If they want too, go right ahead. Just because I dont care about their views on crap doesnt mean others dont, so go do all the stuff you want, I just dont personally care. Again we are stuck in this crappy place now a days of, you're either completely with us or you're against us mindset.

My point overall is, you're an entertainer, that is literally your job. Dont get angry that a good chunk of people view you just as an entertainer and dont care what your personal views on things are. Also not everyone in that group that doesnt care, aren't the idiot Laura Ingrahams telling you to shut up and dribble either. There is a good chunk of people, that enjoy the entertainment you put on, then once that is over check out and go back to their lives. You want to go do all this activism? Cool man I am 100% for anyone doing sticking up for what they believe in, no matter their occupation or lack of occupation. Doesnt mean Im going to sit around and listen to though, but that also doesn't mean since Im not going to sit around and listen to it, that I want it shut down. There is a middle ground.

Sure, and I get that, and I get why you're on the defensive: because you think you're among the middle-ground people. I still think you missed the crux of my message because you're still framing players as mad, when I really don't think that's the case:

But I think this is the subtlety people are missing: by talking about fans this way, they're not expressing disdain or contempt towards fans. It's such a privileged position to sit there and think Lou Williams has it out for you. On the contrary: putting your image at risk among the people who generate revenue for you to express what you believe is an act of compassion, not of contempt.

I honestly dont care how anyone takes the comments from the players. Im not even saying I think Lou is attacking the fans. Im just responding to Lou's comments for what they are.

"You're dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop, opposed to being outside fighting for equality"

Again like ive stated many times in this thread. If a player(any person) wants to choose activism at this moment in time (or at any time) over their job, you wont see me criticizing that choice, Im all for it. So if Lou or any other player feels like at this moment in time they cant play basketball and be a vocal voice for whatever social/political stance they want to make, cool I understand that, so go do that.

There is a good chunk of people who enjoy watching basketball (any entertainment) for the entertainment and that's it. They dont follow the players outside of the game because they dont care for whatever reason. But it seems like people like that get grouped into the Laura Ingraham idiotic view of they shouldn't talk and should just shut up and dribble, even though that isn't anywhere close to how many of them feel.

So ya I want the players back so I can watch them play basketball, that's it. Its not me wanting them to come back to play so they cant be out fighting. Again if they feel like them coming back to play means their voice gets lowered and at this moment of time they feel their voice is more important. Cool go do that.

[NBAFan93]

They’ve always been entertainers - them objecting to that part I don’t like. You could argue a high school and even a college/Olympic athete is playing for pride and accomplishment, but when you cross over from being a non-paid to a paid athlete you become an entertainer. People are paying to watch you to be entertained.

I do understand why they don’t like the locked down bubble concept - I wouldn’t like it at all either. In their homes they have more freedom, especially now.

What I don’t like is all these people completely trashing Kyrie for expressing a different opinion. People are going too far.

[levon]

I honestly dont care how anyone takes the comments from the players. Im not even saying I think Lou is attacking the fans. Im just responding to Lou's comments for what they are.

"You're dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop, opposed to being outside fighting for equality"

Again like ive stated many times in this thread. If a player(any person) wants to choose activism at this moment in time (or at any time) over their job, you wont see me criticizing that choice, Im all for it. So if Lou or any other player feels like at this moment in time they cant play basketball and be a vocal voice for whatever social/political stance they want to make, cool I understand that, so go do that.

There is a good chunk of people who enjoy watching basketball (any entertainment) for the entertainment and that's it. They dont follow the players outside of the game because they dont care for whatever reason. But it seems like people like that get grouped into the Laura Ingraham idiotic view of they shouldn't talk and should just shut up and dribble, even though that isn't anywhere close to how many of them feel.

So ya I want the players back so I can watch them play basketball, that's it. Its not me wanting them to come back to play so they cant be out fighting. Again if they feel like them coming back to play means their voice gets lowered and at this moment of time they feel their voice is more important. Cool go do that.

I guess I still don't understand the leap you're making from

"You're dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop, opposed to being outside fighting for equality"

to "Lou Will is mad that you think of him as an entertainer". Lou Will is talking about how basketball and sports are going to serve as a distraction from an important moment. Sports are explicitly talked about as a distraction in our society. What is he even saying here that's controversial? We both agree that divesting from play is a "legitimate" way to protest, right, (as if that's even our call to make) so what are we really talking about here Duke?

So ya I want the players back so I can watch them play basketball, that's it. Its not me wanting them to come back to play so they cant be out fighting. Again if they feel like them coming back to play means their voice gets lowered and at this moment of time they feel their voice is more important. Cool go do that.

Yeah, and if a significant portion of them decide to sit out, there will be no return in Orlando. It seems like this is directly at odds with what you want. Maybe you're a proponent of a few players protesting, but not enough to shut down the league?

I don't know, for someone who claims they don't care about player views, you seem to care about this. Doesn't that offer evidence that sitting out is more effective than not?

[MrGrim]

The 1918-20 flu was more fatal and dangerous overall, especially for younger people- yet I don’t think they postponed baseball games. Different mentality back then I suppose

Here's what baseball looked like durin the Spanish flu. Players and umpires wore flu masks, the season was cut off early, and the World Series helped spread a new strain of the virus and caused a second wave of the influenza in the United States. Sounds about the same mentality.

https://sports.yahoo.com/coronavirus-heres-what-sports-looked-like-during-the-1918-spanish-flu-pandemic-184042838.html

That article makes it seem like the World Series was responsible for the second wave of the Spanish, which isn't really true. 1918 H1N1 hit all over the world. We were going to get hit regardless of what we did. Philadelphia famously got hit hardest because it locked down too late, but troop movements due to soldiers returning from WW1 probably guaranteed the disease was going to spread around the world. Truthfully, researchers still aren't sure why the disease behaved the way it did. We've had flu pandemics since then in 1957, 1968, and 2009 that weren't nearly as deadly.

Still, its crazy to think that people were playing baseball and football during it. 1918 H1N1 was between 2 and 4 times as deadly as COVID-19 overall, and exponentially more deadly to people ages 20 - 40, so much so that it really isn't even comparable to COVID in severity among that age group. I think infectious diseases were simply more common back then, so people were more used to the idea that they could catch a deadly disease at any time. Antibiotics had yet to be discovered, and diseases like polio were a constant threat.

The truth is COVID-19 is the first time since the start of the HIV/AIDS pandemic that our institutions encountered an infectious disease that we don't really have an answer for, at least in the United States. European and East Asian countries seem to have been able to respond more effectively because they have better developed healthcare systems along with economic safety nets that are better able to ameliorate the economic effects of containment measures such as lock-downs. As as result, they likely will be able to safely return to normal long before the US.

In truth, I think Americans are between a rock and a hard place at this point. Shutting down again will cause massive economic damage that may indeed be worse than COVID for some people. That being said, we are clearly re-opening too soon because we have yet to establish control over COVID in the way other countries were able too. We probably should have waited to begin the reopening process until sometime in July. The only silver lining is that COVID is indeed much less serious than 1918 H1N1 for people under 60 or so; it still can be dangerous, though.

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

Why even restart. It's going to be a gong show.

When should we resume? We probably wont have widespread vaccines until atleast the end of the 2020-21 season (traditional schedule). How many seasons are you ok with losing, how many seasons do you think great players are ok with losing?

End of the calendar year for a vaccine like everyone is guessing would seem right. Or find a way to lockdown support staff like pretty much everyone thought they would.

The vaccine wait could be even longer if proper clinical trials are conducted. No one besides Trump wants a warp speed fast food vaccine with unknown side effects on people with different health conditions.

No one really wants to be locked down for entertainment purposes that's like being in jail. That's why you see more NBA players starting to grumble about Orlando and the so called Bubble lock down situation.

Wake up, eat, work out, eat, play a game then go back to hotel, eat, watch tv and sleep...repeat for 2-3 months.

[Duke4life831]

I honestly dont care how anyone takes the comments from the players. Im not even saying I think Lou is attacking the fans. Im just responding to Lou's comments for what they are.

"You're dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop, opposed to being outside fighting for equality"

Again like ive stated many times in this thread. If a player(any person) wants to choose activism at this moment in time (or at any time) over their job, you wont see me criticizing that choice, Im all for it. So if Lou or any other player feels like at this moment in time they cant play basketball and be a vocal voice for whatever social/political stance they want to make, cool I understand that, so go do that.

There is a good chunk of people who enjoy watching basketball (any entertainment) for the entertainment and that's it. They dont follow the players outside of the game because they dont care for whatever reason. But it seems like people like that get grouped into the Laura Ingraham idiotic view of they shouldn't talk and should just shut up and dribble, even though that isn't anywhere close to how many of them feel.

So ya I want the players back so I can watch them play basketball, that's it. Its not me wanting them to come back to play so they cant be out fighting. Again if they feel like them coming back to play means their voice gets lowered and at this moment of time they feel their voice is more important. Cool go do that.

I guess I still don't understand the leap you're making from

"You're dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop, opposed to being outside fighting for equality"

to "Lou Will is mad that you think of him as an entertainer". Lou Will is talking about how basketball and sports are going to serve as a distraction from an important moment. Sports are explicitly talked about as a distraction in our society. What is he even saying here that's controversial? We both agree that divesting from play is a "legitimate" way to protest, right, (as if that's even our call to make) so what are we really talking about here Duke?

So ya I want the players back so I can watch them play basketball, that's it. Its not me wanting them to come back to play so they cant be out fighting. Again if they feel like them coming back to play means their voice gets lowered and at this moment of time they feel their voice is more important. Cool go do that.

Yeah, and if a significant portion of them decide to sit out, there will be no return in Orlando. It seems like this is directly at odds with what you want. Maybe you're a proponent of a few players protesting, but not enough to shut down the league?

I don't know, for someone who claims they don't care about player views, you seem to care about this. Doesn't that offer evidence that sitting out is more effective than not?

If they decide to not return then so be it. My life doesnt revolve around watching basketball. Dont get me wrong I enjoy watching basketball (that is why Im on this site), but my life really hasnt changed since the season shut down. Its not hard to fill the void of entertainment for me. So to repeat myself again, I find basketball entertaining, it would be cool if basketball returns. If a few players decide to sit out and focus on activism, good on them. If enough choose to focus on activism and they decide to not resume the season, good on them. Its entertainment to me, just like if a show I really like gets canceled, I just move on to something else.

[bisme37]

Read on Twitter

[Billy Goat]

They’ve always been entertainers - them objecting to that part I don’t like. You’ll could argue a high school and even a college/Olympic athete is playing for pride and accomplishment, but when you cross over from being a non-paid to a paid athlete you become and entertainer. People are paying to watch you to be entertained.

I do understand why they don’t like the locked down bubble concept - I wouldn’t like it at all either. In their homes they have more freedom, especially now.

What I don’t like is all these people completely trashing Kyrie for expressing a different opinion. People are going too far.

If they don’t want to play that’s fine I guess. However the overall gist I’m getting is the players want all the benefits of being a celebrity without actually having to do anything. They seem to resent that they’re entertainers but love the perks that come with it. They’ve taken advantage of the commissioner, who’s weak.

[Billy Goat]

I honestly dont care how anyone takes the comments from the players. Im not even saying I think Lou is attacking the fans. Im just responding to Lou's comments for what they are.

"You're dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop, opposed to being outside fighting for equality"

Again like ive stated many times in this thread. If a player(any person) wants to choose activism at this moment in time (or at any time) over their job, you wont see me criticizing that choice, Im all for it. So if Lou or any other player feels like at this moment in time they cant play basketball and be a vocal voice for whatever social/political stance they want to make, cool I understand that, so go do that.

There is a good chunk of people who enjoy watching basketball (any entertainment) for the entertainment and that's it. They dont follow the players outside of the game because they dont care for whatever reason. But it seems like people like that get grouped into the Laura Ingraham idiotic view of they shouldn't talk and should just shut up and dribble, even though that isn't anywhere close to how many of them feel.

So ya I want the players back so I can watch them play basketball, that's it. Its not me wanting them to come back to play so they cant be out fighting. Again if they feel like them coming back to play means their voice gets lowered and at this moment of time they feel their voice is more important. Cool go do that.

I guess I still don't understand the leap you're making from

"You're dying to get back in the house and drink a beer and watch us hoop, opposed to being outside fighting for equality"

to "Lou Will is mad that you think of him as an entertainer". Lou Will is talking about how basketball and sports are going to serve as a distraction from an important moment. Sports are explicitly talked about as a distraction in our society. What is he even saying here that's controversial? We both agree that divesting from play is a "legitimate" way to protest, right, (as if that's even our call to make) so what are we really talking about here Duke?

So ya I want the players back so I can watch them play basketball, that's it. Its not me wanting them to come back to play so they cant be out fighting. Again if they feel like them coming back to play means their voice gets lowered and at this moment of time they feel their voice is more important. Cool go do that.

Yeah, and if a significant portion of them decide to sit out, there will be no return in Orlando. It seems like this is directly at odds with what you want. Maybe you're a proponent of a few players protesting, but not enough to shut down the league?

I don't know, for someone who claims they don't care about player views, you seem to care about this. Doesn't that offer evidence that sitting out is more effective than not?

If they decide to not return then so be it. My life doesnt revolve around watching basketball. Dont get me wrong I enjoy watching basketball (that is why Im on this site), but my life really hasnt changed since the season shut down. Its not hard to fill the void of entertainment for me. So to repeat myself again, I find basketball entertaining, it would be cool if basketball returns. If a few players decide to sit out and focus on activism, good on them. If enough choose to focus on activism and they decide to not resume the season, good on them. Its entertainment to me, just like if a show I really like gets canceled, I just move on to something else.

Pretty much. People aren’t begging for sports to come back. There are plenty of other entertainment options. If the players want to change careers and focus on something else by all means. We’re probably looking at a drastic change in professional sports though. It’s hard to maintain the profession if the players resent the fact they’re players and there are fans who like watching them play. I don’t think the players see the big picture as they’re killing the golden goose, but I couldn’t imagine being that wealthy and having no responsibilities so it’s tough to blame them.

[dautjazz]

End of the calendar year for a vaccine like everyone is guessing would seem right. Or find a way to lockdown support staff like pretty much everyone thought they would.

What do you mean like everyone is guessing? The estimates by experts at end of April was 12-18 months as the goal. The more advanced vaccine trials are in stage 2 still, and only a few have betted on themselves to actually start production on their vaccine. I am optimistic and really hoping these vaccines see the light, but it would be an incredible turnaround if they did as vaccines usually take several years.

Would you like to lay money on it?

There’s already multiple vaccines. It’s only the trials that are pending. And at least one of those that’s Canadian will be done by end of calendar year. In less ethical places with less restrictions, the trials are going to take as long.

And they are ready shortened the testing from the ethical standpoint oretty much everywhere from several years, in light of the need. They used the sars vaccine work that never finished to get ahead.

I also just said I'm optimistic, but it's not certain yet. There are some good signs out there and obviously I hope it's over soon.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/astrazeneca-agrees-to-make-covid-19-vaccine-for-europe

[levon]

Imagine thinking that NBA players, the best at their craft, who most likely worked their way up from an embarrassingly under-served community, are just rich and have no responsibilities. As opposed to the hard-working owners who let their team rot in 10th seed mediocrity every year, bleed money, and have their asset double and triple in value based on what the players are doing on the court.

[Sir-Swish-A-Lot]

The NBA is scheduled to be in Florida during hurricane season...wow. Silver isn't thinking this through properly.

Each year hurricane season begins on June 1st and lasts 5 months, with storms typically peaking in August and September.

Lol. I'm surprised at all the people that don't want them to play basketball at all and will continue try to throw out reasons.

You also forgot that it will be very hot. Plus a boy was killed by an alligator at Disney a few years ago.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

I am surprised at all the people that want to watch a Bush League version of the NBA when we have a pandemic and social injustice protests going on...but, hey, gotta have that non essential entertainment, right?

The Roman Circus must go on to distract, huh?

[Mind_Odyssey]

The NBA is scheduled to be in Florida during hurricane season...wow. Silver isn't thinking this through properly.

Each year hurricane season begins on June 1st and lasts 5 months, with storms typically peaking in August and September.

Lol. I'm surprised at all the people that don't want them to play basketball at all and will continue try to throw out reasons.

You also forgot that it will be very hot. Plus a boy was killed by an alligator at Disney a few years ago.

Sent from my SM-G950U using RealGM mobile app

I am surprised at all the people that want to watch a Bush League version of the NBA when we have a pandemic and social injustice protests going on...but, hey gotta have that non essential entertainment, right?

The Roman Circus must go on to distract, huh?

I wonder if Rob realizes that it’s kinda hard to play in a arena with no electricity.

Sounds like a Karen upset about not getting a haircut.

[Mike1989]

I’ve thought since March that this was going to cost the NBA two seasons. Same for the other major sports, although baseball is pretty distanced already and they could probably wear masks because they aren’t undergoing constant activity like basketball or football.

I also think moving the Olympics to 2021 was naively optimistic, it will probably get postponed again (the Olympics is much more dangerous than a major sport, you have people from across the entire world coming together).

Very few people seem to grasp that this virus is a multi-year thing, or if they do they don’t want to say it because they sound crazy, like you probably think I do. The Spanish Flu lasted from 1918 to 1920.

Two seasons is a possibility. The 19/20 could be cancelled if the players don't support it or something changes to force the NBA's hand to cancel the season. Same goes for the 20/21 season. It is unlikely that the situation is going to have changed by the time the new season would start, and there is probably not going to be a vaccine readily available before that season ends. One can even make an argument for the start of the 21/22 season because if a vaccine is found and starts production, it is likely to be the second half of next year before it starts to reach people and it is going to take time to reach everyone required. It is going to be a long battle for sports at all levels to continue while this virus is around and there is no vaccine or effective treatment.

With that said, can sports leagues, businesses and life be put on hold for that length of time until a potential vaccine is found and produced in significant enough number to vaccinate everybody?

I don't think it can. I'm all for being safe and sensible because I live in a shielded household although I am not the person at risk, but eventually life must restart because we cannot afford to wait for a hypothetical vaccine or effective treatment to emerge. Maybe we keep these social measures in place for the next 12-18 months, but even that is a significantly short period of time for vaccine production. Do we say at that point if nothing is found then we go back to normal and accept the risks? Or do we continue to keep social measures in place until something is found? But what if nothing is found, do we never return to normal in fear of this virus? In a sense that is going to the extreme but it is possible that we never find a vaccine for this virus. It is possible that it will remain with us and God help us if it mutates as time goes on.

Basically what I am saying here is that eventually life must go on. I'd argue that this year is not the time to do it, but eventually society will need to accept the risks and get on with life as best as it can until we beat this thing.

[basketball royalty]

Isn’t Orlando inland? Have they ever been effected by Hurricane? Not that I’ve heard of

[RookieStar]

End of the calendar year for a vaccine like everyone is guessing would seem right. Or find a way to lockdown support staff like pretty much everyone thought they would.

What do you mean like everyone is guessing? The estimates by experts at end of April was 12-18 months as the goal. The more advanced vaccine trials are in stage 2 still, and only a few have betted on themselves to actually start production on their vaccine. I am optimistic and really hoping these vaccines see the light, but it would be an incredible turnaround if they did as vaccines usually take several years.

Would you like to lay money on it?

There’s already multiple vaccines. It’s only the trials that are pending. And at least one of those that’s Canadian will be done by end of calendar year. In less ethical places with less restrictions, the trials are going to take as long.

And they are ready shortened the testing from the ethical standpoint oretty much everywhere from several years, in light of the need. They used the sars vaccine work that never finished to get ahead.

Just wanna interject on here, but do you wanna be the guinea pig? I mean say its true and the vaccine does cone out say... late November/early December.. you gonna be the first in line to get it? Assuming its also mass-produced?

You don't think more conservative people would wait 2-3months more to see if there are any side effects?

If you aren't scared and willing I mean heck there are talks/rumours that china already has a vaccine finished, why not try it out then for those who want speed more than safety?