With the NBA’s decision to suspend the season, last night might have been the last night of basketball for quite a long time.
As the Coronavirus continues its rampage across the world, things have taken a very dire and drastic turn as businesses, schools, and sporting events get shut down. This latest crisis will likely cost the league hundreds of millions of dollars, but it wasn’t the only factor at play in what many are calling the worst NBA season of All-Time.
On October 4th, Daryl Morey tweeted in support of protests in Hong Kong against the Chinese government. In the days and weeks following, Chinese streaming services, sponsors, and partners cut ties with the Rockets and the NBA, costing them millions of dollars.
Here’s the tweet from @dmorey of the @HoustonRockets that the @NBA says ‘deeply offended many of our friends and fans in #China’. https://t.co/aHSYqbiSIY pic.twitter.com/Kst3jcD0IY
— Norman Hermant (@NormanHermant) October 7, 2019
On January 1st, 2020, former NBA Commissioner David Stren died from a brain hemorrhage at 77. He was an iconic figure for the NBA, helping usher in a new era for basketball and globalize the sport on a large scale.
I can not put into words what the friendship of David Stern has meant to me but many others. He changed so many lives. David was a great innovator and made the game we love what it is today. This is a horrible loss. Our hearts are with Dianne & their family. RIP my friend. @NBA pic.twitter.com/mbnneqm18s
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) January 1, 2020
Later that month, on January 26th, NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a sudden and tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of nine people. The incident shook the very league to its core as memorials and tributes sprouted up all around the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2DN9gDLYFY
After so much buzz, optimism, and hype regarding the 2019-20 season, it’s truly saddening to think about all that’s happened.
This season has been characterized by sadness and tragedy, unlike any other. And besides costing the NBA their wallets, it’s costing the entire community their peace of mind.
