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The Board of Governors is expected to restart the league in Orlando, according to St. Bonaventure’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who set off a series of flash bangs this morning detailing the framework. A conference call to finalize things is set for tomorrow afternoon.
The NBA's Board of Governors has a 12:30 PM ET call on Thursday with the intention of approving the league's plan for a 22-team return-to-play in Orlando, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Sh7k6ylCdz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020
Basically all the teams will isolate in a magical kingdom where they will be tested for COVID-19 constantly and opposing forces will get along after they stand off, nose to nose in the heat of battle. The Knicks will be spared in this Disney-fied money grab as it will only be the playoff and playoff-adjacent teams attending. Which means basically the entire Western Conference minus the Warriors and Timberwolves.
Sources: Joining the 16 current playoff teams in Orlando: New Orleans, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Antonio in the West and Washington in the East. If the 9th seed is more than 4 games behind the 8th, No. 8 makes playoffs; Fewer than 4 games, a play-in tournament.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020
For the East that of course means the Knicks, along with Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, and Cleveland will all be sitting at home remaining quarantined. Unless they decide to band together and join the protests in their respective cities. Which I highly recommend.
So the NBA's inviting 22 teams to Orlando: 13 Western Conference, 9 Eastern Conference. Eight-regular season games per team. Play-in for the 8th seeds. July 31-October 12. Vote tomorrow to ratify.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2020
The NBA's back.
Not everyone was overly enthused with this news. Non-bubble-bound Hornets owner, Michael Jordan, feels the way I feel. Which is basically that there should be no NBA until there is a a vaccine available to everyone in the world. So like, maybe come back this time next year if all goes well. That would work for me.
Per @ShamsCharania, "Hornets owner Michael Jordan was outspoken on Friday’s call, advocating for player safety and not having players have to return for meaningless games"https://t.co/uTms5LTNgk
— Yaron Weitzman (@YaronWeitzman) June 3, 2020
In any case, it seems like the league will be up and running sooner than you think. For the Knicks it could put their coaching situation into the lightning rounds and before you know it, the draft lottery will put them one pick outside of whoever proves to be the prize of the draft.
It’s probably a welcome distraction for people that are not so hyped about the current focus of our desperate nation. Anyway— quick! Get inside this Pandora’s Box, there is going to be basketball to watch. And candy!