The NBA initially announced that the league will be suspended for at least 30 days. Before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a recommendation that says “no event or meeting should include more than 50 people for the next eight weeks”. The NBA then begins to calculate the economic damage, while the deductibles wonder how they will look when there is the green light for the resumption of the season. For those teams that have already clinched a place in the playoffs or are close to get them, it might be a challenge to remain powerful before the stop for the COVID-19 emergency.
Beneficial emergency stop for the Lakers
As for the Los Angeles Lakers, already in the playoffs, this emergency stop could be very advantageous. It is also the possibility for LeBron James to better recover his physical condition. “With James 35 years old and playing in his 17th season in his left groin who still hurts from time to time because of the tear he suffered last season, there is a potential advantage that comes with free time if the Lakers ran a deep playoff run,” wrote ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. On the other hand, Lakers coach Frank Vogel will have to wait to integrate new pieces Markieff Morris and Dion Waiters. And the Lakers will have to recalibrate the pace they were just getting closer to.”
