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The NBA is apparently very into their plan for the resumption of the 2019-20 season in a bubble. So into it, in fact, that they’re readying a second bubble.
According to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan, the league is preparing a bubble in Chicago for the eight teams that are not invited to Orlando to finish the season.
The NBA is closing in on signing off on a second “bubble” in Chicago for the eight teams that were not invited to play in Orlando, enabling mini-training camps and subsequent games against other clubs with a target date of September, sources tell ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2020
Those eight teams would be the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, and yes, your Golden State Warriors.
Now before we go further, let’s make one thing abundantly clear: This is an incredibly stupid idea. The league is already pushing the limits of responsibility with the 22-team bubble at the Disney Resort. And all along, three reasons have been offered up for that bubble:
- Sports help heal society.
- The season needs a conclusion.
- Cash money.
That’s it. They’re restarting the season because they want money, resolution, and entertainment. You can debate all you want about whether they should restart the season (personally I think they shouldn’t), but those are the clear reasons.
But a second bubble? A second bubble for practice? There’s no reason for it.
And if it happens, there probably won’t be many Warriors players participating. It’s hard to imagine any players from any of the eight teams leaving their families and risking their health unless they feel they need to in order to further their careers. Which means that pretty much any established veteran whose standing in the league for next season is secure will stay home.
That likely means no Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, or Kevon Looney.
According to MacMullan’s report, Warriors GM Bob Myers has agreed to have the team participate if the idea comes to fruition, though he did not guarantee any specific players would take part.
“Our position is, ‘Let us know what’s possible,”’ Myers is quoted as saying. “Until we really know, it’s hard to say. If we can get the majority of our players to go. And if it’s beneficial, then we’ll do that. If we can’t, we’ll take what we can get. This whole thing is about balancing health and safety. From a team standpoint, what solutions check as many boxes as it can?”
The bubble would reportedly feature minicamps for each team, as well as a Summer League-style run of games.
It’s dumb. But it just may happen.