ORLANDO, Fla.-Per a tweet from Shams Charania, the Atlantic’s lead NBA insider/writer/analyst, there could be a way to save the NBA season and Disney World of Orlando, Fla. may be the answer.
One possible playing ground for NBA if finishing season becomes safe for league and players: Walt Disney World Resort property in Orlando, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. League has kept different scenarios in mind.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2020
The Disney properties do have sufficient hotel rooms to house NBA teams and coaches and perhaps have better seclusion than other potential bubble cities.
The NBA has also examined Las Vegas as a possible site to bring the season back, per previous reports.
Orlando and Las Vegas have traditionally served as hosts for the NBA’s Summer League in July, so each of these cities have had previous experience with what may be potentially asked of them in subsequent weeks.
The Disney properties at Orlando do have one significant advantage over their Las Vegan counterparts as they are located entirely on private property.
Presently, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has not committed to a date as to when any of these possible scenarios could play out.
It does bear mentioning, however, that should the season reconvene in July, it is possible that an abbreviated regular season and postseason could be completed by Labor Day.
This would allow players to have a rest period prior to the usual staring point of the next season, which is in late October.
As the NBA has said earlier this week as well, players in states where restrictions are being lifted, such as Utah, can gather at gyms no earlier than May 8.
This assists teams like the Utah Jazz, the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs, the Houston Rockets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. The states wherein they reside are all committed to some form of reopening within the next few days.
