Amid talk that some NBA teams may be set to start practicing again, the NBA ensured the wait to return would go on for the Milwaukee Bucks among others.
With some states around the USA set to ease stay at home restrictions, it had appeared as if there was some swell in momentum for teams around the NBA to return to practice in team facilities, at least in one-on-one settings.
Outside of the obvious opportunity to return to practice for teams inside those relevant markets, potential safety concerns about players straying outside their own cities in search of opportunities to practice had seemed to present an opening for teams to explore a more structured approach to re-opening facilities across the board.
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Unsurprisingly, and in what was likely the appropriately prudent approach, the NBA took steps on Monday that have put a return to any kind of workouts in a team environment on hold, at least temporarily.
With plans for some teams to reopen their facilities as early as Friday, that date has now been pushed back a week to May 8, according to a league memo which ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on:
"“ESPN obtained a 16-page league memo on Monday that detailed to teams the requirements of reopening facilities, including allowing only four players in a facility at one time and having only one staff member supervising. No coaches are to be allowed in the workouts with players, the memo said. A distance of 12 feet must be kept among individuals on the court.”"
Of course, unlike Georgia or Texas, to name just a couple of states, a stay at home order remains in place in Wisconsin until at least May 26. Perhaps concerned about the reopening of facilities presenting something of a competitive disadvantage for those in states that remain mostly locked down, the NBA has also planned a solution for teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks.
"“The NBA also told teams that there would be a process put in place to help teams in closed states find options to get back onto the floor on this limited basis, the memo said.”"
Of course, Bucks All-Star duo Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton were among those who recently revealed that they don’t have any access to a hoop to shoot on at their homes.
If Milwaukee’s highest paid duo falls into that particular category, that would seem to speak to the general level of restriction that players across the roster have been working under of late.
With all of this, the coronavirus continues to create colossal uncertainty. Even when NBA teams do return to practice facilities, it’s entirely possible that any setback which could crop up would end up having a widespread effect on bringing basketball activities to a stop once again.