By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The Chinese Basketball Association decided to delay the tentative season re-start to May, after initially announcing that the Chinese Authorities were hoping for a return to action on the 15th of April, after shutting down all activities due to safety concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Initially, the CBA was hoping that games could re-start on the 2nd of April, but that was not the case. While most import players and coaches are back in the country and under a 14-day quarantine after their arrival, practices have not started yet.
It also has to be noted that the CBA will end the season by dividing the 20 teams of the league into two groups. All games will be played in just one city for each group without fans.
The newest delay, especially in addition to the Korean Basketball League’s decision to cancel the remainder of its season, is considered worldwide as a bad omen for the near future. There were hopes that the CBA could be a model about how and when basketball leagues could continue their seasons.
At this point, the best-case scenario for CBA will be more than a three-month break before having the chance to finish the season.