On May 1, the NBA started to reopen practice facilities for teams and staff in states that are starting to loosen their stay-at-home orders. In early March, the NBA postponed their season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In an interview, a league spokesperson said, “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine the next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.”

The recent news of the practice facilities reopening is good news for the league moving forward. Eleven practice facilities have reopened and the Los Angeles Lakers are right around the corner. Thursday morning, the Orlando Magic opened up its doors for players to begin working out in preparation for the season to pick up again shortly.

The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver recently had a call with league owners to discuss the rest of the season. According to multiple reports, the call went very well and people left the call feeling very good about a possible return.

Adam Silver hasn’t gone into any details about the format of the rest of the season if the league were to resume play, but they are planning at a “bubble-isolation plan” if it continues. The league is looking into possible locations such as Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort or Las Vegas, Nev.

Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort boasts a beautiful, six court facility that the Bethel Park boys basketball team played at over Christmas break in 2017.

Florida and Arizona have also expressed interest in hosting games. The University of Florida also said that they will host games and events.

Over the next few weeks, the NBA will study a number of different factors before making a final decision.

Even though the league’s return is still a big question mark, many people would love to see the NBA and just sports in general return.

Just ask BPHS hoops star Ryan Meis. “Now more than ever, we need sports. In a time when we are all separated, sports unites people like nothing else can, and it would be huge for live sports to start up again,” he said.

Senior Parker Loera who will continue his wrestling career at Gannon University next winter and is a big-time golf fan said this about sports in general: “Sports helps bring us together, and bringing back the NBA, NHL, PGA Tour, and other sports will help keep our minds off of the situation and will lift some spirits up.”

We hope that the NBA and sports, in general, can return soon!