Ten Thoughts on the NBA’s Orlando Bubble Restart

1. ESPN has announced that “Black Lives Matter” will be visible on the sidelines of each of the three courts. This is a great sign that the NBA’s players are pushing for genuine political protest over the next few months.

2. Anyone who has decided the Orlando Bubble is destined to fail is underestimating the power of 300 million dollars in player salary which will be recouped if players play the 8 regular season games in Orlando. Also underestimating the power of live sporting events in an entertainment-starved landscape. In addition, once the playoffs begin, the competitive fires of the world’s best athletes will likely take over.

3. At the same time, the risk of multiple players on an individual team testing positive and missing an entire series could easily alter the playoffs dramatically.

4. Imagine the reactions if LeBron, Giannis, Kawhi or Harden tests positive. These playoffs may already be thought of as the *playoffs* but if one of the top players tests positive and their team loses, the whole thing will turn into the #playoffs!%$??

5. Not to mention the ripple effects if a player died after contracting the virus in Orlando.

6. Adding Phoenix and Washington to the other 20 playoff-hopeful teams was purely a financial decision. More teams, more games, more TV money, and the slim possibility that the Wizards can force a play-in game or two if Brooklyn or Orlando slip over these last eight regular season games.