The number 1 of the Association takes stock of the situation on the eve of the start of 2021-22
The NBA is ready to go again. “It is the season of our 75th anniversary, I hope it will be as normal as possible, with a regular season of 82 games and the arenas finally full” said commissioner Adam Silver in a virtual press conference with about forty journalists, Gazzetta dello Sports included. “I can’t wait to restart the competition – he says -: there has never been so much talent in our league, as evidenced by the fact that 8 different teams have won the title in the last 11 seasons”. From the Irving case to the mid-season cup, here are Silver’s ideas on the health of the NBA on the eve of the start of 2021-22 (click here to read the special Gazzetta on the new season).
fans
–
“We have different situations in our markets, from New York where everyone has to be vaccinated to enter an arena to cities where it is illegal to ask a person for their status. We had full arenas during the past playoffs, closed before the delta variant of the coronavirus became a problem. We start over when it seems to be in decline. We have learned in recent years to be cautious: I am sure that, as in the past, if there is something to fix during construction we will do it. But let’s start again with full arenas in all our cities, with the passion of the fans an integral part of what makes us special ”.
Kyrie and vaccines
–
Silver does not hide when he talks about the Irving case: “I would have preferred the players to accept the vaccination obligation, as for example the referees did: I think it would have allowed us to avoid some of the problems we had. As for Kyrie, I hope he finally decides to get vaccinated, because I would like to see him play and I would like to see the Nets, his team, take to the pitch in full. We know that a player’s position has an influence on the fans and that’s why I hope all players decide to get vaccinated in the end. However, Irving’s problem at the moment is with the regulations of the city of New York, not ours: the NBA, together with the players’ association, has passed a specific regulation and intends to apply it ”.
the commissioner’s cup
–
Silver confirms that the NBA is flirting with the idea of adding another cup to its calendar, modeled on what the WNBA has done this season. “We are still trying to formulate the best proposal – says the Commissioner on the idea of the tournament. We need the agreement of owners and players, but I think we can easily enter other competitions over the course of the season without diminishing the importance of the Larry O’Brien Trophy, which would continue to be our main trophy. I think another competition would make a lot of sense, but I think there are still a lot of people to convince. Starting with some players, who have trouble understanding the need for another tournament when they are so focused on winning the main one. And they don’t see the same opportunity to create new traditions that we do ”.
expansion
–
Silver also holds up the expansion hypothesis, even if it continues to be a topic far from being at the top of the NBA development agenda. “We want to put the pandemic behind us and get back in full swing before seriously considering this option,” he says. It is a topic, however, which I am sure we will talk about again. And when we do, Seattle will be one of the first cities we look to, especially now that they have an arena to match. But it is a premature speech to be addressed at this moment ”.
October 18 – 11:01 pm
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED
.
#Irving #cup #Seattle #NBA #Commissioner #Silver