Last updated on Nov 23, 2020
By Chris Smith, Staff Writer
The NBA has announced its schedule for the 2020-2021 season. There is a return date much sooner than anticipated for some players. The announcement comes on the heels of the Los Angeles Lakers championship to cap off a COVID-19 shortened season on Oct. 11.
The following season’s games will kick off on Dec. 22, leaving teams like the Lakers and Miami Heat with just seven weeks of an offseason. A typical NBA offseason consists of more than three months of rest for Finals teams, leaving this as one of the many concession’s players have had to make to adapt to the challenges COVID-19 has presented the sport.
The proposed turnaround would be the shortest offseason any of the four major sports have faced in their respective histories.
Lebron James seemed to be displeased by this, posting a disappointed emoji to his Instagram when news of the schedule broke. However, National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) President Chris Paul urged players to remain level headed.
“Nothing is perfect, we’re learning everything on the fly. The only thing that’s in control right now is that virus. We’re working hard to try to make sure that not only our players are happy but our fans are happy,” Pauk said. “None of the things that everyone is dealing with right now is ideal. I think about us and we get an opportunity to play this game. I also think about my kids who are doing online school day in and day out. We’re blessed to be in the situation that we’re in. Like I said, things aren’t ideal, but we’re trying to make them work.”
Senior film major Kyle Smith agreed with Paul’s sentiment. “Given the challenges Covid has presented the world, I’m just happy to see them playing at all. Everyone has had to adapt during these times, so I applaud the league and players for doing so as well,” Smith said.
The NBA draft will kick off the offseason activities on Nov. 18.
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