Not only has the NBA suspended play, but also teams’ practice facilities have been closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus (so far, 14 players or people in basketball operations have tested positive for the virus).
No games, no team facilities to work out in, even local gyms are closed, which leaves players to work out and stay in shape on their own. Maybe they can do workouts at home or in a facility they can access, but even with that a lot of players are going to lose their conditioning (and eat more, just sitting around the house).
That could mean out of shape players and a really rough playoffs — not the rested, elite playoffs Matt Barnes predicted — Anthony Tolliver told Bleacher Report.
Out of shape players returning for the playoffs also increases the risk of injury.
The Lakers’ Jared Dudley echoed that idea and suggested it would be very difficult to restart the season, he said to FOX Sports Radio this week. (Hat tip Hoopsrumors.com)
There is a growing pessimism in some quarters of the league that there will be a season, but for the league finding a way to crown a champion — and get those games televised — remains a priority.
Everything remains up in the air as the number of cases of coronavirus in the United States continues to climb and we wait to see if the measures taken in the past week can slow the spread (and how fast).
Until then, players are left to keep themselves in shape, and we know that will have mixed results.
