By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
While the NBA is planning to resume the season in Orlando, Florida in July, the growing number of coronavirus cases in the state has been a troubling matter to people around the league.
According to a report by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes and Zach Lowe, NBA players, club executives and the league office have been having concerns regarding the spike in coronavirus cases in relation to the scheduled restart of the season.
The state of Florida has reported a record number of 4,049 new coronavirus cases on Saturday and is now considered among the COVID-19 hotspots in the USA. According to reports by US media, experts’ projections mention that Florida has “all the markings of the next large epicenter of coronavirus transmission” and there’s a risk of being “worst it has ever been.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver is reported to be confident in the bubble plan while recognizing the gravity of the rise in coronavirus cases in Florida. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said to ESPN that the league is “closely monitoring the data in Florida and Orange County and will continue to work collaboratively with the National Basketball Players Association, public health officials and medical experts regarding our plans.”
In the meantime, the players’ worries have to do mostly with the fact that there are Walt Disney World employees who will work inside the bubble but reside outside the confinement zone.
NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said the following to ESPN: “Can’t say I am surprised, given the state’s approach to reopening. We are obviously clearly monitoring the situation. While we take some solace in knowing our players will not travel commercially to get to Orlando, that access to the campus is severely limited and, of course, all of the other health and safety protocols in place, the numbers will keep our attention. If necessary to add further restrictions respecting those third parties having access to the campus, we will seek to implement them.”