Bucks co-owner sees NBA back in 6-8 weeks in two cities

NEW YORK, USA – Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry says he thinks the NBA season could resume in 6 to 8 weeks with clubs likely gathering in Orlando and Las Vegas to play games.

Lasry told CNBC television on Thursday, May 21, that the league was moving closer to ending the coronavirus pandemic shutdown that began after Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive March 11 for COVID-19.

“We’re getting a lot closer,” Lasry said. “We’re going to have a board of governors meeting next Friday and I’m sure we’ll be talking about it then.”

Many NBA players have been able to conduct solo workouts at team facilities this month to get back in shape, the first small step toward resuming after the deadly virus outbreak.

“With players coming back, I think right now the momentum seems to be shifting and I think we’ll have something – hopefully within the next 6 to 8 weeks we should be playing.”

The 2019-2020 campaign was halted with about a month of the regular season remaining before two months of playoffs were scheduled to begin in mid-April.

NBA return plans reportedly focus on gathering players in a “bubble” where coronavirus testing can be conducted and players can be quarantined as needed, using large hotel and convention areas to house players and set up courts for games to be staged without spectators and played before television cameras.

“I think the ratings will be through the roof,” Lasry said. “Everybody is going to want to see it.”

The NBA would use one or two sites for the return, Lasry said. (READ: NBA to issue guidelines around June 1 on recalling players)

“Just to make it easier for everybody I think it will be two sites, maybe have the West on the Vegas side and the East on the Orlando side,” Lasry said.

Lasry, whose Bucks had the NBA’s best record at 53-12 when the season was halted, says he does not see any NBA title this season as being diminished due to the long layoff and unique circumstances around any champion that would be crowned.

“Will it be different? Yes, but you’re still going to feel great,” Lasry said. “Everyone is going to talk about it was difficult, it was different, it was without fans. Yeah, but you are still an NBA champion.”

The Bucks, led by Greek star and reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, won their only NBA title in 1971. – Rappler.com