WE’RE nearing the final countdown for the resumption of the world’s most popular and expensive basketball league, and teams were issued a 113-page rule book that outlines health and safety protocols inside the NBA bubble.
Florida’s positive cases are at an alarming rate and with a recorded one-day high of COVID-19 infections at 11,400, the league most likely would be closely and strictly monitoring players and team staff.
League commissioner Adam Silver is confident that everyone inside the bubble will follow procedures, but these highly-paid athletes are so used to having their own way that being restricted inside a campus-like environment and follow rules on health and safety for three months would be challenging, to say the least. As Washington’s Bradley Beal said, “There’s a lot of s*** we can’t do.”
I will have Portland as a dark horse in this restart because two important frontline players will be back in action. Jusuf Norkic and Zach Collins, both seven-footers, had recovered well from their injuries and could be starting along with Hassan Whiteside.
Carmelo Anthony and Damian Lillard could man the backcourt. CJ McCollum, Rodney Hood and Anfernee Simmons will complete the rotation.
We could be seeing more of Mario Hezonja and rookie Nassir Little in the absence of Trevor Ariza and Caleb Swanigan who both opted out.
The three-month lay-off had given players with health issues enough time to heal and recover. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had a minor knee sprain when the season was suspended while Miami’s Myers Leonard and rookie Tyler Herro had ankle injuries.
Dallas big man Kristaps Porzingis is finally feeling confident with his surgically repaired knee. With an off-and-on soreness on his left foot, Boston’s Gordon Hayward had benefited much from the unexpected rest.
JaVale McGee to start at center for the LA Lakers and will alternate with Dwight Howard who finally committed to play. This will move Anthony Dabis to his natural position at the 4. It’s a wait-and-see situation for new Laker additions Dion Waiters and JR Smith. Waiters had played a total of 3 games for Miami this season before being signed by the Lakers while Smith last played basketball in November 2018.
There’s no guarantee that AD will be back next season considering his coming free agency and the Lakers must win it all now as #3 might take his talents elsewhere. LeBron is on his 17thh season and 35-years old, not enough time really, to add more rings to his collection. This is the only time that the pair of AD and LBJ are sure of playing together./PN
