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The coronavirus shutdown isn’t going to end anytime soon.
With San Francisco’s shelter in place, the Warriors practice facility has been closed since Monday.
Now, the rest of the teams in the league are joining them.
The dynamic duo of NBA Insiders, Shams and Woj, shared the details:
The NBA is shutting down all team training facilities to staff and players starting Friday to mitigate coronavirus situation, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 19, 2020
Players will not be allowed to travel outside of North America, league tells teams in a memo. https://t.co/6xLWddo2LC
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 19, 2020
In safeguarding players health, the NBA's directive on playing ball in these times is clear: Outside of perhaps a personal home gym, shut it down. https://t.co/9DYnBy4q4G
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 19, 2020
While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he his hopeful the league will be able to continue operations at some point, this isn’t a surprising move. The virus is spreading throughout the country at an alarming rate and until it is contained, this is the going to be the new normal.
The Warriors have 17 games left on the their schedule, so if, or when the league resumes, players are going to need some time to get back into game shape.
With the Dubs firmly at the bottom of the NBA standings, the team will not have much to play for once it returns.
The bottom three teams in the league have the same odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery at 14%, so unless the Warriors go on a winning streak when they’re back, it is tough to see them make up the four games on the Atlanta Hawks and move down to a 12.5% chance.
If the league is unable to finish up the 2019-2020 season due to the pandemic, the most likely scenario is that the league will use the current standings to determine the draft order.
Do you think the NBA will return this season? If not, how do you think the league should proceed in the offseason?