The global health scare known as the Coronavirus that has taken the world by storm is something that, as is being made more and more clear daily, will leave lasting impacts on what appears to be just about all fundamental pillars of societies. Across the world, schools and universities have shut down, making the transition to online formats. Businesses have closed, sending most all employees possible home. Markets have crashed, and maybe most drastically, sports have been cancelled. Yes, all sports. The 2020 Summer Olympic Games, which were slated to be hosted in Japan, have officially been postponed until the summer of 2021. Regardless of what most people are hopeful for, it is undeniable that the impact this pandemic has had will be felt solemnly for likely years to come. However, all hope may not be lost, as living with the reality of such an outbreak could potentially be made easier, if in fact the NBA is able to work things out and salvage the remainder of the 2019-20 season. So, here’s hoping the talks have been true. 

The NBA was the first major sporting conglomerate to declare precautionary action against what at the time was an irrationally unprecedented oncoming health scare. Postponing the season, in as swift a manner as the league did, showed its fans and other onlookers one thing if nothing else: leadership. The confidence of Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, and the league office showed in going so far and in moving so deliberately as to even be willing to cancel a game quite literally seconds away from tipping off—what with ushering out already seated fans, quarantining each respective team, and calling the season immediately—proved itself contagious, as other leagues, both nationwide and the world over, quickly followed suit. Once March Madness, the college basketball tournament was cancelled, it was clear things in America were getting serious. Now with the news of the Olympics, it is clear that internationally it is more of the exact same. Uncertainty has been at the forefront of facing this pandemic for everybody, which is justifiably the greatest cause for concern amongst most. However, what has been made certain by the reports coming out of the NBA, is that Adam Silver, and the league as a whole, have all but full intentions to salvage the remainder of this season, and return to the hardwood in what hopefully is the relatively near future. 

Though nothing official has been proclaimed, of the reports that have come together, the focus appears concise and aligned: The NBA wants to finish their season, and would like to do so sooner rather than later. It’s been confirmed the rampant communication that has been carried out between league offices, team owners and the sorts, to try and come together and find a way to work things out. Dallas Mavericks owner, and notorious Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban, was optimistic when asked about the leagues potential return. He told Dallas news station WFAA that “No one has perfect information right now, so all decisions are tough, but if I had to guess based off the people I’ve talked to at the CDC and other places, I would say that the over-under [for a restart] would be June 1, and I’m taking the under”. These remarks are nothing short of hopeful and exciting, and although Cuban himself would be the last person to make the official call on a return, his thoughts seem echoes of those coming from higher up. In a report by Adrian Wojnarowski, also known as Woj, one of the league’s most prolific inside reporters, it is divulged that July 1 is in fact what appears to be the goal return date by the league. In his report, he clarifies that “the loosest of drop-dead dates on completing the NBA Finals is Labor Day weekend in early September, sources say, which teams say necessitates games starting back up by July 1”. Essentially, it appears as if the NBA has narrowed down and figured out their window of opportunity for potential return, which, given the proper motivation, which appears abundant, should leave fans hopeful.

The world is undoubtedly in difficult, strange times. Everybody, every institution, and all else that falls around such, are dealing with the realities and difficulties faced by the Coronavirus pandemic in the best ways they can. While nobody may know just what lies around the corner, it is with a light in my eye that I am hopeful the leadership and confidence displayed by the NBA when entering these dark times, is just as prevalent when it comes to getting out of these dark times. So, here’s hoping the talks have been true, and here’s to Mark Cubans under.