Postponed Games - what's the leagues plan?

[pookenstein]

Anybody know what the NBA's plan is with the postponed games around the league?
Will they be pushed in between other games randomly when both teams are free? I never read anything about how they planned to handle the inevitable.
More than 20 games have been postponed so far. Both the Wizards and Grizzlies have missed 6 games so far.

[timvp]

AFAIK, the games are technically cancelled and not postponed. When the schedule for the second half of the season is created, they will try to fit in the games that were "postponed" but there's no guarantee that it will be possible to reschedule all the missed games.

[baseline bum]

AFAIK, the games are technically cancelled and not postponed. When the schedule for the second half of the season is created, they will try to fit in the games that were "postponed" but there's no guarantee that it will be possible to reschedule all the missed games.

But I'm expecting they'll reschedule all but two so they can be paid in full on local TV deals.

[cd021]

Could wear out teams if they get to many games in a short time.

Also could affect the playoff races if teams play an uneven schedule. A team could have a higher win percentage by virtue of playing fewer games.

[pookenstein]

AFAIK, the games are technically cancelled and not postponed. When the schedule for the second half of the season is created, they will try to fit in the games that were "postponed" but there's no guarantee that it will be possible to reschedule all the missed games.

Thanks. Spurs Insta said the game will be rescheduled. Will get pretty tricky for the league to plan, especially for the teams who (will) have missed multiple games.

[DeRozan m8]

Yeah I'm sure they'll just work the second half of the schedule around what's missed.

Maybe not necessarily play the postponed games...but more just make sure all teams have played the same amount of games by seasons end.

But play the missed games where possible

[tbdog]

Also could affect the playoff races if teams play an uneven schedule. A team could have a higher win percentage by virtue of playing fewer games.

That's what happened to us in the bubble.

[Chinook]

Hence the play-in tournament being expanded to 7-10 rather than just 8 and 9.

[ezau]

NBA should have just stuck with the bubble template, tbh. It's too risky to send these players flying all the time.

[cd021]

NBA should have just stuck with the bubble template, tbh. It's too risky to send these players flying all the time.

That would be virtually impossible tbh. 30 teams in one bubble, playing over 1000 games in 6 months --then the playoffs. The Orlando bubble cost $200 million, a bubble this season would've cost probably triple that at least.

[The Truth #6]

Hence the play-in tournament being expanded to 7-10 rather than just 8 and 9.

Exactly. The tournament will likely be the way to settle the chaos.

[The Truth #6]

My question is how the league decides eligible players before a game. I initially assumed it would be something quantifiable like a negative Covid test, but TimVP in his article suggested it was from contact tracing if I read it correctly. If it’s done by contact tracing, wouldn’t the whole team be ineligible? In other words, with a team in such tight proximity to each other how would they decide which eight players?

[ezau]

That would be virtually impossible tbh. 30 teams in one bubble, playing over 1000 games in 6 months --then the playoffs. The Orlando bubble cost $200 million, a bubble this season would've cost probably triple that at least.

The NBA is already losing millions as they cancel games while risking the players's safety as the same time.

[mo7888]

The NBA is already losing millions as they cancel games while risking the players's safety as the same time.

Risking safety...is there a single documented case of an NBA player being hospitalized from Covid? I'm not making a statement...I'm really asking... I can't think of any.... so I'm not sure what the risk is to actual players.... now coaches (especially older ones like Pop) i see the risk ....but players? I'm not sure..

[The Truth #6]

Risking safety...is there a single documented case of an NBA player being hospitalized from Covid? I'm not making a statement...I'm really asking... I can't think of any.... so I'm not sure what the risk is to actual players.... now coaches (especially older ones like Pop) i see the risk ....but players? I'm not sure..

It’s inherently a risk, right? I mean, 400,000 have died and some were healthy males. I’m sure it’s a lower risk, however.

[mo7888]

It’s inherently a risk, right? I mean, 400,000 have died and some were healthy males. I’m sure it’s a lower risk, however.

Walking out the door is inherently a risk..... but we take it.... some don't make it home....most do. . So if no player has been hospitalized im just not sure if it qualifies as being a real risk to them.....now from a coaches perspective I get it....from the perspective of them bringing it home to a vulnerable family member I get it.... I just don't see any evidence that actual players are at a risk..

[cd021]

The NBA is already losing millions as they cancel games while risking the players' safety as the same time.cancelling/ postponing 20 games is a drop in the bucket compared to around $600 million needed for the massive undertaking of a full NBA season in a bubble. Also the players despised the bubble, they're probably prefer this much more than to the bubble-- even with the uncertainty.

[Dex]

Walking out the door is inherently a risk..... but we take it.... some don't make it home....most do. . So if no player has been hospitalized im just not sure if it qualifies as being a real risk to them.....now from a coaches perspective I get it....from the perspective of them bringing it home to a vulnerable family member I get it.... I just don't see any evidence that actual players are at a risk..

Talk about moving the goal posts.

There is a big difference between walking out the door and expecting to come home, and contracting a disease that currently has a 1.7% death rate in the US...and is even higher in other countries. (https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality)

Do you really think you have a ~1/50 chance of dying every time you leave the house?

[mo7888]

Talk about moving the goal posts.

There is a big difference between walking out the door and expecting to come home, and contracting a disease that currently has a 1.7% death rate in the US...and is even higher in other countries. (https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality)

Do you really think you have a ~1/50 chance of dying every time you leave the house?

Youre moving the goalposts...not me.... I'm talking about professional athletes who are in the best shape of their lives.... what is their mortality rate? So far for nba players...it's 0%.... im not talking about public policy here.... I'm specifically talking about the statement of 'risking the players safety'.... currently there is no data point that suggests this...

[Dex]

Youre moving the goalposts...not me.... I'm talking about professional athletes who are in the best shape of their lives.... what is their mortality rate? So far for nba players...it's 0%.... im not talking about public policy here.... I'm specifically talking about the statement of 'risking the players safety'.... currently there is no data point that suggests this...

Not yet...then again, I don't think we've even seen 50 confirmed cases in NBA players yet.

Obviously, these are young healthy guys who have access to healthcare that most of us could only dream about, so their chances are obviously better. But to act like they are invincible just because a player or coach hasn't died yet is short-sighted, in my opinion.

We also still don't really understand the long-term ramifications COVID will have on the lungs, heart, and other vital organs.

[mo7888]

Not yet...then again, I don't think we've even seen 50 confirmed cases in NBA players yet.

Obviously, these are young healthy guys who have access to healthcare that most of us could only dream about, so their chances are obviously better. But to act like they are invincible just because a player or coach hasn't died yet is short-sighted, in my opinion.

We also still don't really understand the long-term ramifications COVID will have on the lungs, heart, and other vital organs.

I understand your point of view but, until someone in the league has a serious complication with this then its nothing more than conjecture to me. I'm absolutely open to arguments that have data with them (hence why I'm not challenging the view on covid where it comes to the broader population) but, I need evidence before I concede the notion that this is a real 'risk' to nba players.

[The Truth #6]

Walking out the door is inherently a risk..... but we take it.... some don't make it home....most do. . So if no player has been hospitalized im just not sure if it qualifies as being a real risk to them.....now from a coaches perspective I get it....from the perspective of them bringing it home to a vulnerable family member I get it.... I just don't see any evidence that actual players are at a risk..

So you think men in their 20s are immune? I think we are debating the idea of what is a risk.

[Obi Juan Kenobi]

If no concern for the players, what about the coaches who are older and are not athletes or at least not in their prime health wise?

[baseline bum]

Risking safety...is there a single documented case of an NBA player being hospitalized from Covid? I'm not making a statement...I'm really asking... I can't think of any.... so I'm not sure what the risk is to actual players.... now coaches (especially older ones like Pop) i see the risk ....but players? I'm not sure..

Even if not a single player gets hospitalized, still got long haul effects to worry about. This shit can still really harm your lungs even if you're never in enough danger to get hospitalized. The way the NBA is conducting this season is irresponsible as hell.

[baseline bum]

Not yet...then again, I don't think we've even seen 50 confirmed cases in NBA players yet.

Obviously, these are young healthy guys who have access to healthcare that most of us could only dream about, so their chances are obviously better. But to act like they are invincible just because a player or coach hasn't died yet is short-sighted, in my opinion.

We also still don't really understand the long-term ramifications COVID will have on the lungs, heart, and other vital organs.

Even the known ramifications we have seen in the short term look pretty nasty. I have a family member in his early 30s who was in ridiculously good shape before COVID who is still feeling pretty ugly effects in his lungs two months later despite never being low on oxygen (and thus not being hospitalized) when the virus was active in his body.

[mo7888]

So you think men in their 20s are immune?

I put forth no argument or suggestion that anyone was immune.

[mo7888]

Even the known ramifications we have seen in the short term look pretty nasty. I have a family member in his early 30s who was in ridiculously good shape before COVID who is still feeling pretty ugly effects in his lungs two months later despite never being low on oxygen (and thus not being hospitalized) when the virus was active in his body.

I understand...and that's awful... two of my children had it as well.... but that's still a different discussion than what I'm talking about. I'm strictly talking about nba players in the prime of their lives and any known hospitalizations for any players. I just don't see the evidence to support a claim that the league is 'putting players at risk'.... that's it.... I'm not trying to make some larger narrative about the disease or society's response to it.... if I did that I'd surely wonder off in the weeds of political discussion and I really try not to do that here.

[Robz4000]

Even the known ramifications we have seen in the short term look pretty nasty. I have a family member in his early 30s who was in ridiculously good shape before COVID who is still feeling pretty ugly effects in his lungs two months later despite never being low on oxygen (and thus not being hospitalized) when the virus was active in his body.

A good friend of mine got it and has permanent lung damage (30 years old). Was also in the best shape of his life.

[MultiTroll]

Double headers like in baseball?

[Arcadian]

A good friend of mine got it and has permanent lung damage (30 years old). Was also in the best shape of his life.

Do you know any details about what's wrong with his lungs, and how the doctors diagnosed it? I'm asking because my wife also has post-covid after-effects that affect her breathing, but she hasn't gotten any definitive answers from doctors about what the problem is. Her x-rays look normal, for example.

[Robz4000]

Do you know any details about what's wrong with his lungs, and how the doctors diagnosed it? I'm asking because my wife also has post-covid after-effects that affect her breathing, but she hasn't gotten any definitive answers from doctors about what the problem is.

Haven't really asked, but its some sort of scarring. He had a lot of bleeding from his lungs while he was sick.

[Arcadian]

Haven't really asked, but its some sort of scarring. He had a lot of bleeding from his lungs while he was sick.

Damn, that's crazy :(

[Dex]

Haven't really asked, but its some sort of scarring. He had a lot of bleeding from his lungs while he was sick.

Just sharing an artcile here, take it for what it's worth. But this is scary stuff to me:

https://i.imgur.com/6cBPRy5.png

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-lungs-scarring-smokers-lungs/

[exstatic]

I understand your point of view but, until someone in the league has a serious complication with this then its nothing more than conjecture to me. I'm absolutely open to arguments that have data with them (hence why I'm not challenging the view on covid where it comes to the broader population) but, I need evidence before I concede the notion that this is a real 'risk' to nba players.
It’s not conjecture, only a matter of time. NCAA has already had more cases, being a larger organization, and consequences. That UF bball player has a damaged heart.

[BWS-1994]

Wasn’t there an article, I think by Bleacher Report, that with all these PPD’s, the Wizards will be playing 41 games in 57 nights for the second half of the schedule?

[mo7888]

It’s not conjecture, only a matter of time. NCAA has already had more cases, being a larger organization, and consequences. That UF bball player has a damaged heart.

Call me when or of it happens.... by definition it's currently conjecture at this point..

[cd021]

Even if not a single player gets hospitalized, still got long haul effects to worry about. This shit can still really harm your lungs even if you're never in enough danger to get hospitalized. The way the NBA is conducting this season is irresponsible as hell.

There's things like "brain fog" to worry about too. I read a story about an attorney who months after having covid still can't fully function. She has to use post-it notes to try and remember but sometimes can't even remember to remember to write something down to remember and it becomes this crazy cycle. She basically was forced to take another leave of absence and is uncertain about her future.

What if a player who had covid has problems remember plays and where to be or what to do?

[exstatic]

Call me when or of it happens.... by definition it's currently conjecture at this point..

You keep using that word. I don’t think you know what it means. Serious ramifications aren’t conjecture, they’re a statistical inevitability.

[exstatic]

Back on subject: I think the reason the league only did half of the schedule is that they wanted flexibility. They won’t schedule anyone like that Sacto scenario. They’d stretch the timeline first. It’s looking more and more like the Tokyo olympics will be cancelled, so that probably won’t factor in.

[mo7888]

You keep using that word. I don’t think you know what it means. Serious ramifications aren’t conjecture, they’re a statistical inevitability.

noun

an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

"conjectures about the newcomer were many and varied"

Youre making future assumptions based on information you don't have...by definition that is conjecture. To base your opinion on a definition of 'statistical inevitability' when you currently have zero cases to back it up is also conjecture.... you're welcomed to it but it is just that...

[The Truth #6]

noun

an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

"conjectures about the newcomer were many and varied"

Youre making future assumptions based on information you don't have...by definition that is conjecture. To base your opinion on a definition of 'statistical inevitability' when you currently have zero cases to back it up is also conjecture.... you're welcomed to it but it is just that...

You’re really sticking with this. Curious, do you think the NBA should open the arenas for full attendance? Zero fans at NBA games have died of Covid so far.

[mo7888]

You’re really sticking with this. Curious, do you think the NBA should open the arenas for full attendance? Zero fans at NBA games have died of Covid so far.

Of course not... the league is made of fans of all ages and preexisting conditions...

[Slippy]

If they serious about completing the season . The nba should consider doing the second half in a bubble like orlando.

[pookenstein]

Celts@Spurs seems to be on tonight. At least it isn't displayed as postponed (yet) on nba.com likeBulls@Grizz is. So it was probably the Pels who didn't have enough players on monday.

[pookenstein]

Wasn’t there an article, I think by Bleacher Report, that with all these PPD’s, the Wizards will be playing 41 games in 57 nights for the second half of the schedule?

41 in 57 would be crazy. And could (will) get crazier, if (when) more games involving the Wizards get postponed. Seems inevitable they'll have to cancel some games.

[Slippy]

Celts@Spurs seems to be on tonight. At least it isn't displayed as postponed (yet) on nba.com likeBulls@Grizz is. So it was probably the Pels who didn't have enough players on monday.

Someone related to both teams ,non player was the reason
for the contact tracing from what iv read. if the game goes ahead that person must of been cleared.

[Ice009]

Even if not a single player gets hospitalized, still got long haul effects to worry about. This shit can still really harm your lungs even if you're never in enough danger to get hospitalized. The way the NBA is conducting this season is irresponsible as hell.

I haven't read much on the long term effects of Covid, but I do recall hearing something about lung issues. Can you elaborate on what you said? Can it actually damage your lungs permanently, or will it heal over time?

Edit: Just had a look at some of the posts on this page (I was on page 1 when asking the lung questions), and wow, it doesn't look good at all. Not everyone gets the bad lung issues I assume?

Are most of you guys going to take the vaccine? I want to, but I am a little worried about possible long term side affects (Maybe this is a non-issue, and I'm also not in the US, though, and would definitely take it if I was there, or another country with a similar infection rate, but here, the rate is pretty low). It's not that I'm against a vaccine or anything, but well before Covid, I made a decision to stop using/taking pharmaceutical products all together 4 or 5 years ago as they weren't doing me any good. I prefer to do everything through diet and so far I've been better off for it. Still not where I want to be health wise, but I feel better and feel like I'm heading in the right direction.

[exstatic]

I’m absolutely taking the vaccine when it’s my turn. There was an app when the vaccine was first approved. It asked you a few questions, very simple. I’m not 65, and have no preexisting conditions, so I was like #24 million out of 30 million. Anyone who declines just moves me up further.

[baseline bum]

I haven't read much on the long term effects of Covid, but I do recall hearing something about lung issues. Can you elaborate on what you said? Can it actually damage your lungs permanently, or will it heal over time?

Edit: Just had a look at some of the posts on this page (I was on page 1 when asking the lung questions), and wow, it doesn't look good at all. Not everyone gets the bad lung issues I assume?

Are most of you guys going to take the vaccine? I want to, but I am a little worried about possible long term side affects (Maybe this is a non-issue, and I'm also not in the US, though, and would definitely take it if I was there, or another country with a similar infection rate, but here, the rate is pretty low). It's not that I'm against a vaccine or anything, but well before Covid, I made a decision to stop using/taking pharmaceutical products all together 4 or 5 years ago as they weren't doing me any good. I prefer to do everything through diet and so far I've been better off for it. Still not where I want to be health wise, but I feel better and feel like I'm heading in the right direction.

Diet's not going to give you SARS-COV2 antibodies.

[ezau]

Risking safety...is there a single documented case of an NBA player being hospitalized from Covid? I'm not making a statement...I'm really asking... I can't think of any.... so I'm not sure what the risk is to actual players.... now coaches (especially older ones like Pop) i see the risk ....but players? I'm not sure..

The US having hundreds of thousands of Covid cases isn't risking safety? Our country is the most dangerous country right now as far as the pandemic goes, tbh.

[mo7888]

The US having hundreds of thousands of Covid cases isn't risking safety? Our country is the most dangerous country right now as far as the pandemic goes, tbh.

If you're talking about the average American you've got good point.... if you're talking about the best athletes in the world who've had zero complications...not so much..

[ezau]

cancelling/ postponing 20 games is a drop in the bucket compared to around $600 million needed for the massive undertaking of a full NBA season in a bubble. Also the players despised the bubble, they're probably prefer this much more than to the bubble-- even with the uncertainty.

With the way our country is racking up Covid cases each day, it was a terrible idea for the NBA not have the bubble format.

[ezau]

I haven't read much on the long term effects of Covid, but I do recall hearing something about lung issues. Can you elaborate on what you said? Can it actually damage your lungs permanently, or will it heal over time?

Edit: Just had a look at some of the posts on this page (I was on page 1 when asking the lung questions), and wow, it doesn't look good at all. Not everyone gets the bad lung issues I assume?

Are most of you guys going to take the vaccine? I want to, but I am a little worried about possible long term side affects (Maybe this is a non-issue, and I'm also not in the US, though, and would definitely take it if I was there, or another country with a similar infection rate, but here, the rate is pretty low). It's not that I'm against a vaccine or anything, but well before Covid, I made a decision to stop using/taking pharmaceutical products all together 4 or 5 years ago as they weren't doing me any good. I prefer to do everything through diet and so far I've been better off for it. Still not where I want to be health wise, but I feel better and feel like I'm heading in the right direction.

I'm going to take the vaccine after seeing two close family members deal and thankfully survive Covid. My brother's dealing with breathing issues months after recovering and he's just in his late twenties with minor pre-existing conditions.

[ezau]

If you're talking about the average American you've got good point.... if you're talking about the best athletes in the world who've had zero complications...not so much..

So you're willing to risk these athletes? I'm all for this if NBA players have been vaccinated, but I don't think a player has received a jab, IIRC.

[mo7888]

So you're willing to risk these athletes? I'm all for this if NBA players have been vaccinated, but I don't think a player has received a jab, IIRC.

There's no evidence that it's a risk for them... there hasn't been one player hospitalized... as for the vaccine, I hope they take it when it becomes available to them... I will take it when it becomes my turn as well just like I take the flu shot... I've had two of my kids contract covid and both came through it thankfully.

[ezau]

There's no evidence that it's a risk for them... there hasn't been one player hospitalized... as for the vaccine, I hope they take it when it becomes available to them... I will take it when it becomes my turn as well just like I take the flu shot... I've had two of my kids contract covid and both came through it thankfully.

I'm glad that your kids survived it. Yeah, I'm taking the vaccine jab too.

[mo7888]

I'm glad that your kids survived it. Yeah, I'm taking the vaccine jab too.

I appreciate that..

[DAF86]

Can somebody explain why the previous game was suspended and now we are back at it just a couple of days later?

[Chinook]

Can somebody explain why the previous game was suspended and now we are back at it just a couple of days later?

Because they tested the players and cleared them. They weren't deactivated because they had COVID but because somewhere near enough to them had it that the league needed time to do contact tracing. Remember, it was the second half of a back-to-back, so they have literally no leeway to figure out if anyone needed to quarantine. It seems like they probably determined that no one from either team was in danger a before the game would've been played, but it was already postponed, and the Spurs wouldn't've had time to travel anyway.

Basically think of it as three levels of response.

1) Contact Tracing -- Short period of time and widest net cast where the league holds back anyone who might've possibly had contact with an COVID+ person (or maybe even through an indirect connection with someone who was exposed)
2) Isolation -- Intermediate period of time where the player has been determined to have been in contact with someone who has COVID but has not tested positive. The player needs to clear multiple tests over the course of a few days (it was six days in the NFL for example) before they can come back
3) Quarantine -- That's when a player tests positive and needs to be away from the team for a couple of weeks and then pass multiple tests over the course of a few days

The Spurs (and Pelicans) had a bunch of guys in the first level, but no one moved to the second or third levels. Had the game been a day later, we'd've probably never heard anything about it. Remember at least two folks on the team likely got COVID, and the team didn't miss a game because contact tracing had time to go through.