NBA At Odds Over ‘Utterly Insane’ Pandemic Schedule
An anonymous NBA general manager has warned that the current schedule will have ramifications beyond just this season.
Several GMs, coaches and trainers spoke to ESPN about the impact of the condensed NBA schedule this year.
“There’s no rest and recovery anymore with the COVID protocols,” said a veteran NBA head athletic trainer, who added, “The travel, combined with the morning testing, is unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”
“[The players] walk down to the testing room like they’re 900-year-old men.”‘
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There’s no doubt it’s taking its toll on the players. However, the data shows that the amount of injuries is in line with the past five seasons.
“In planning both this season and last season, we have communicated on a daily basis with our teams and NBA players, agreeing on two very different season formats that each made sense as a way to continue operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic,” an NBA spokesperson told ESPN.Â
“Injuries have unfortunately always been a part of the game, but we have not seen a higher rate of injuries this season than last. We will continue to work with teams and players to complete our season in the best and safest way possible that promotes both physical and mental health during this challenging period.”
Read: Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Still Feeling The Effects Of Covid-19
Although as the GM points out, this is about more than just finishing this season in time for the Olympics.
“This whole two-year period will have a marked long-term effect on players many years down the line,” said the second GM. “It’s like if your power goes out. You have to burn candles if you want light. If you burn them, you won’t have them the next time your power goes out. We are burning through the players right now at an alarming rate. But again, what’s the alternative? 25-man rosters? Fewer games? It’s not just a ‘league thing.’ It all required collaboration with the NBPA. It’s a shared responsibility, driven almost exclusively by the seduction of [money].”
