The NBA has set a return date for the 2019-20 NBA season. In the name of tying up loose ends and saving millions of dollars in revenue, they are targeting July 30th as the start date for the remainder of the season which will feature 22 teams in a play-in playoff-style format.
But just because basketball may come back, doesn’t mean everyone wants it to. Players around the league have spoken up about the return of the game and some have gone on the record to question whether they should return at all.
Kyrie Irving and Dwight Howard are just a few players in that camp, but (on twitter) Clippers guard Patrick Beverley supported a comeback of the season.
Hoopers say what y’all want. If @KingJames said he hooping. We all hooping. Not Personal only BUSINESS🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 🙏🏾 #StayWoke ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) June 14, 2020
Clearly, Beverley stands with LeBron. As the NBA’s face and best player, James no doubt has pull on the rest of the community. If he’s laced up and ready to go come July 30th, you’d be hard-pressed not to find players ready to do the same.
As for the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests that have shaken this nation, players can still help the cause as the season is being played out. They can continue to take a stand and fight for equality — they’ll just be aiming for a Championship while they’re at it.
As of now, there’s no reason to think the season won’t return on schedule. But if players continue to express concern and resistance over a potential restart, don’t expect it to fall on deaf ears.
