More Details Emerge About the NBA Return-to-Play Plan

Despite push back from some players, the NBA is set to restart their season in Orlando at the end of July. The league will use the Disney facilities to host all the teams and finish out the season to eventually award an NBA Champion.

A schedule has yet to be released but once there is, there be some semblance of normalcy during a chaotic period of time. When the schedule is released, the NBA odds page at SBD will be updated and matchup previews will be written. Fingers crossed for this to happen within the next few weeks. Eventually, even highlight packages will be broadcasted to millions of viewers worldwide.

In order for all of this to come to fruition, the NBA and the Player’s Association need to follow strict guidelines to ensure the health of everyone involved. On Tuesday, the league announced more procedures that will take place in and around the hub in Orlando for the players, coaches, and staff involved in these games.

First and foremost, the league reiterates that testing will occur regularly and, in some cases, daily in certain circumstances. IF a player tests positive, there will be a strict procedure (14-day quarantine, cardiovascular testing) that must occur before that player is deemed fit for action.

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When it comes to players and coaches who may be at a higher risk of contracting and being impacted by COVID19, they can not participate without losing salary. This will be done through a variety of health records and the review of a medical panel who would ultimately determine the person’s risk.

Upon arrival in Orlando, all players will undergo a 48-hour quarantine period where they must have two negative tests. They will be unable to congregate with teammates or coaches until that time has passed. Additionally, masks will be required everywhere except outdoors and in the player’s room.

When it comes to gameplay, three arenas will be used initially and unique procedures such as showering in your room and limited pregame interaction will be implemented to reduce risk across the board.

Surely, this will be more of an adjustment for the players as the first few weeks pass. For the fans, all that matters is that basketball will be played and shown on television. Despite doubts a few months ago about finishing the year, the mood seems to have flipped and optimism has taken over.

NBA PPG Leaders – 2019/20


Rk	Player	Pos	Age	Tm	G	GS	3P%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS ▼
1	James Harden	SG	30	HOU	61	61	.352	6.4	7.4	1.7	0.9	34.4
2	Bradley Beal	SG	26	WAS	57	57	.353	4.2	6.1	1.2	0.4	30.5
3	Giannis Antetokounmpo	PF	25	MIL	57	57	.306	13.7	5.8	1.0	1.0	29.6
4	Trae Young	PG	21	ATL	60	60	.361	4.3	9.3	1.1	0.1	29.6
5	Damian Lillard	PG	29	POR	58	58	.394	4.3	7.8	1.0	0.4	28.9
6	Luka Dončić	PG	20	DAL	54	54	.318	9.3	8.7	1.1	0.2	28.7
7	Russell Westbrook	PG	31	HOU	53	53	.254	8.0	7.0	1.7	0.3	27.5
8	Kawhi Leonard	SF	28	LAC	51	51	.366	7.3	5.0	1.8	0.6	26.9
9	Anthony Davis	PF	26	LAL	55	55	.335	9.4	3.1	1.5	2.4	26.7
10	Devin Booker	SG	23	PHO	62	62	.360	4.2	6.6	0.7	0.3	26.1
11	LeBron James	PG	35	LAL	60	60	.349	7.9	10.6	1.2	0.5	25.7
12	Zach LaVine	SG	24	CHI	60	60	.380	4.8	4.2	1.5	0.5	25.5
13	Brandon Ingram	PF	22	NOP	56	56	.387	6.3	4.3	1.0	0.7	24.3
14	Donovan Mitchell	SG	23	UTA	63	63	.364	4.4	4.2	1.0	0.2	24.2
15	Pascal Siakam	PF	25	TOR	53	53	.359	7.5	3.6	1.0	0.9	23.6

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

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