When the NBA season got suspended in March, nobody was sure when, or if, the season would return. COVID-19 presented a unique and challenging curveball to the NBA — and the only thing they could really do was suspend action and plan for a situation that would ensure the safety of players and coaches.
Months later, with teams were asked to return and finish out the season in quarantine, in Orlando, with no fans, no family (for the majority of the time), and away from the social justice protests that were happening all over the nation.
Considering it all, is it fair to say this Finals series (and the 2020 postseason) is the hardest the NBA has ever seen? On Twitter, Ron Artest made that case and even took it a step further by calling it the toughest in sports history.
This @NBA finals is absolutely the toughest finals in the history of any sport. Mentally draining being in the bubble and physically taken a toll.
This really is one of the greatest finals I’ve ever seen
— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) October 7, 2020
There are many fans who argue the contrary, suggesting that the lack of fans and lack of travel have actually made it easier.
The added pressure from the fans and travel for normal finals is much tougher. Sure the bubble mentality impacted players but those teams gone already. End is in sight now. They aren’t mentally bothered at this point.
— JB (@Jbidwal82) October 7, 2020
No matter which side you’re on in the debate, you can agree that the 2019-20 season has been unprecedented for the National Basketball Association. Amid their attempts to adapt to the circumstances, they’ve lost quite a bit, with revenue losses reportedly in the billions and some ratings for the games down as low as 50%.
The best we can do at this point is hope for the best. With each passing day, we grow closer to ending this tough season and back towards some semblance of normalcy.
And seriously, it can’t come soon enough.
