NBA Players Facing Hurdles During Leave of Absence

The NBA season isn’t likely to get started again until mid May at the earliest. With all of that downtime, how do players stay in shape?

With team facilities closed, players are coping as best they can

NBA players are staying in shape and keeping in touch with trainers and medical staffs, but @MarkG_Medina discusses how nothing they do can simulate the rigors of on-the-floor action. pic.twitter.com/vs09v4rCsI

— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) March 24, 2020

Despite the challenges of not having access to team facilities, NBA players are doing its best to stay in game shape throughout this unexpected break.

Unfortunately, nothing can truly keep players in game shape without playing games and competing.

“Guys have been in touch on a daily basis with the trainers and the medical staff,” USA Today Sports Writer Mark Medina said on Tuesday. “They’re able to do some things at their homes…But that does not replace what it takes to be in basketball shape.”

Medina said that the biggest issue is the fact that not everyone has the ability to shoot like they should in a closed gymnasium and run up and down the court against other players.

ESPN’s Malika Andrews shared some of the same sentiments on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt on Monday evening:

It’s pretty evident from those around the league that once the time to quarantine is over, players will need a few weeks to get back into game shape.

Mark Cuban believes NBA could return in May

Coronavirus: Mark Cuban sets over-under date for NBA return at June 1, but expects games to resume before thenhttps://t.co/NNx1fVxJbs

— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) March 24, 2020

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban shared some news that many across the sports world will be crossing their fingers for.

“Hopefully by the middle of May, we’re starting to get back to normal and the NBA is playing games,” Cuban said on Monday. “Maybe not with fans, but we’re playing it because sports plays such an important role. You know, people want something to cheer for, people want something to rally around, people want something to be excited about.”

A cure for COVID-19, as stated by medical professionals, probably wouldn’t be ready for another 12 to 18 months. Cuban believes though that if something that minimizes the effect of the virus could be released, life can start to go back to normal.

“Once we do that, then we have a path out,” he said. “And I think we’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer and closer.”