Why the NBA is reportedly telling teams not to test players for COVID-19
This is the Morning Win. Nate Scott is filling in for Andy Nesbitt this week.
The NBA is reportedly telling teams not to test its players for COVID-19 if they aren't displaying symptoms, and it not only makes total sense, it also shows how complicated this whole thing is going to be to get sports back.
First, the edict from the NBA: According to ESPN, the league sent out a memo on Thursday night instructing teams not to test asymptomatic players and coaches for the disease.
The memo says: "for the time being, it is not appropriate in the current public health environment to regularly test all players and staff for the coronavirus."
This ... makes sense. It also shows how hard it's going to be to come back from this.
To get the NBA back and running safely, most people agree that the players and personnel would need to be tested regularly. The league might set up bubble sites (Disney World has even been floated) to host games, and then with regular testing of everyone, they could be certain that everyone was safe and not transmitting the disease.
But ... there aren't enough tests to do that yet. With normal people around the world still desperately trying to get tests, and states competing against each other to acquire them, it would be a horrible look for the NBA to now start regularly testing everyone in the league.
It was a PR nightmare for the league when the world found out that every member of the Utah Jazz had gotten tested following Rudy Gobert's positive test. It would be the same now.
So, we will wait. The fine line that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver must walk here, and all the factors he needs to take into account — player health, league finances, optics, communal health, the nation's need for sports, local laws, TV contracts — frankly gives me a stomach ache just thinking about.
If anything, it should be a reminder for the casual fan: This isn't going to be easy to come back. The league wants to come back. Players want to come back. But it's not going to be as simple as "get em all in a gym and test em." It can't be.
Friday's Big Winner: CeeDee Lamb
The new Cowboys receiver not only took on a big responsibility with the number 88 for the franchise, he got the blessing from Dez Bryant to wear the number.
Quick Hits: Space Jam 2, NASCAR is BACK, the Oculus
- LeBron shared more new details about Space Jam 2. This thing is really happening.
- NASCAR is set to resume its season, without fans, on May 17. Who's ready to get into NASCAR?
- We got a sneak peek of the new "Oculus" videoboard at the new Rams/Chargers stadium and good heavens this thing is ridiculous and terrifying.