Sunday provided some hopeful news about some NBA practice facilities reopening in the days to come, but that may prove to be premature.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the league is receiving “significant pushback” on its reported plan to allow teams to reopen facilities for individual workouts in states that have eased stay-at-home orders.
NBA has received significant pushback from teams about idea of re-opening practice facilities in selected states and municipalities, team officials tell ESPN. Competive balance hasn't been issue — player/staff safety has. Teams are still awaiting a more detailed NBA plan today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2020
As an example, Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk said the team has no intention of immediately opening its facilities even if the NBA allows it.
Hawks President of Basketball Operations/GM Travis Schlenk tells ESPN that Hawks won’t be opening team facility to players Friday. “We are going to wait and see what happens in the state over the couple of weeks,” Schlenk tells ESPN. Georgia relaxed stay-at-home policies.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2020
This is why we’re a long way away from basketball. Teams won’t reopen facilities until they’re completely sure it’s safe, even for individual workouts. It doesn’t matter what local and state governments say.
