We are officially heading into day five without Chicago Bulls basketball, and the NBA news cycle is starting to slow down out of the weekend.
Now that the Chicago Bulls have gone without basketball activities for going on four days now, and without game action for six, the novel coronavirus and its serious threat is really starting to set in. The feeling around the country in the disruption of routines and what social distancing really means for sports fans everywhere is one of the most noticeable changes.
However, the NBA is adjusting to the new atmosphere fairly fast. A report from Shams Charania of The Athletic on March 15 showed that the league is allowing players from all 30 teams to travel outside of those markets. The original mandate announced by the NBA on March 12 made players stay in that same city as their team.
But with the announcement of teams having their players allowed to travel out of market, effective March 16, there is a downside. The NBA also included that it would be indefinitely suspending team practices until further notice. Yet another report showed that it could be a best case scenario that the season starts back up in mid-June (per ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski).
The NBA has informed its 30 teams that, effective Monday, players are able to travel out of market with consultation from their respective teams, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 16, 2020
In addition, the league has recommended that teams consider using temperature checks on everyone entering their facilities, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/AD5xpbfssx
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) March 16, 2020
At least the news cycle is finally starting to slow down around the NBA, and sports in general. Since nearly every sport is already cancelled at this point in time, there’s not a much faster news cycle that can happen from leagues around the world in the coming week.
With all this in mind, here’s my thoughts on the NBA hiatus and life without Bulls basketball heading into day five.
What’s happening around the NBA
Lack of social media activity from Bulls players
We haven’t heard a whole lot from any Bulls players in the last 24 hours. Even since the NBA hiatus was announced on March 111, really the only Bulls players to have any sort of activity on Twitter or Instagram were point guard Coby White and shooting guard Zach LaVine.
Center Wendell Carter Jr. stayed a bit more active with his Instagram stories too.
Other NBA players with active voices
Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry had just worked his way back into the lineup after recovering from a broken hand. He took to Twitter again on March 15 to give some encouraging words about what needs to be done to contain the spread of COVID-19.
We all have to take responsibility for ourselves and do whatever it takes to #stopthespread. There’s a sense of urgency to flatten the curve and give ourselves and the healthcare system the best chance to get through this pandemic. Share this message and let’s protect each other! pic.twitter.com/T8JfydahCu
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) March 15, 2020
The Athletic’s John Hollinger (paid content) put out a good piece on what will happen for the NBA once they get to a point of return for the 2019-20 season. There are some interesting ideas pitched if they even try to resume the season once the COVID-19 precautions die down.
Answering some questions about the NBA and what's next.@johnhollinger on:
— The Athletic Carolina (@TheAthleticCAR) March 14, 2020
☑️ When might play resume?
☑️ Precedent for canceling season?
☑️ Players still get paid?
☑️ What happens if we get to summer?
And more:https://t.co/qX5co54Rzn
The biggest looming question for the Bulls remains what will happen for the rest of the 2019-20 season it this does resume in mid-to-late June. Will the Bulls get to see White’s hot streak continue on into the waning regular season or are they done until next year?