The NBA has an All-Star Break Problem
As the league rapidly approaches the All-Star break on this COVID abbreviated season, many players are looking forward to some time away from the league’s breakneck pace. League sources from players, to coaches, to executives all agree that they are looking forward to finally getting a break.
“I think you are seeing some guys who aren’t that happy about being All-Stars,” said one executive on the condition of anonymity, “I think some of the players were looking forward to getting some time without games.”
It may seem strange to fans who have a great time watching and enjoying premium league content, but many players seem to be struggling with the NBA’s schedule being designed to entertain a country ravaged by a deadly pandemic. When the league finally takes it’s All-Star break, player not bound by commitments in Charlotte will disperse around the country to have some rest and relaxation.
However, as Kurt Helin pointed out with some razor-sharp satire, there’s reason to believe the players getting time off is actually very dangerous and could threaten to derail and destabilize a season that’s already full of postponements and danger.
Unfortunately, players just don’t seem to have the same commitment to keeping themselves and one another safe as the league has proven they do. League safety protocols have been undermined left and right by wanton daps and hugs, as warnings from the commissioners office about dangerous handshakes go largely unheeded. If players will even take lightly the superspreader event that is speaking with each other after a game, who’s to say they won’t do even worse without those guidelines?
Luckily, my time as a freelance NBA Journalist for hire has given me the problem solving skills to look into a conundrum and find a solution.
1.) Submit recreational reports to a League sanctioned vacation approval board.
The main problem presented by the All-Star break is that players will be left to their own devices and may not make decisions with the league’s best interests in mind. This is a common problem for a lot of businesses and something many management teams have struggled to overcome when it comes to producing healthy, happy workers. For example, what if an employee does something risky like exercising in the rain and gets themselves sick? Not only is it bad for the employee’s health, but they also have to use a sick day when they could otherwise be working.
However, what if you trusted the science and had vacation plans reviewed by labor, health, and training experts?
That’s where the NBA Vacation Approval Board comes in.
The NBVAB would be made up of league official who would review “vacation requests’ submitted by the players. For these vacation requests, players would fill out a simple form detailing where they plan to go, with who, and for how long. The NBAVAB would then review the plan for risky behaviors such as contact with high-risk family and friends, non-league sanctioned recreation, and other dangerous behaviors.
By taking this simple step, we can get back to trusting the science and making sure everyone comes back to work, refreshed and ready to be productive.
2.) League guided relaxation retreats
Another idea would be a sort of “work retreat” as a place for players to remain productive while they recharge their batteries over the All-Star break. Players could join a similar “virus free bubble” like the one the league built in Orlando. My dream idea would be something similar to the Davos World Economic Forum retreat. Players could enjoy panels from famous business leaders and perhaps there could be an event where players get to ask us media members what challenges we face, and what they could do to improve on player-media relations.
Players could read books, catch up on delightful television programming like Wandavision, and take wellness and mindfulness classes. If this sounds like heaven on Earth, it’s because it is!
3.) All-ternative Stars Tournament
What if, instead of a break, players who weren’t invited to the All-Star game had their own event? This “All-ternative Stars Tournament” would be for all the players who didn’t get invited to the All-Star game and would give NBA audiences even MORE content.
Instead of placing themselves at risk in clubs and resorts, players would get to maintain their conditioning playing two games a day to ensure the tournament concluded by the time the All-Star break was over. Teams would be drafted by media member voting, and I think it would even be cool if some of us as media members got a chance to coach in these All-ternative Star games. The idea of Team Windhorst vs. Team Duncan is enough to make any NBA fan salivate, but what about the entertainment value of Team Simmons vs. Team Russillo? intrigue of Team Woj (nickname for ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski) vs. Team Shams!?!?! I’m giddy just thinking about it.
These are just a couple of ideas I’ve had and, (after pitching them to league sources) it seems they are unlikely to happen. However, it doesn’t change the fact that this is a problem the league will have to innovate a solution to. If the success of this COVID-shortened season is any indication, however, Adam Silver is more than up to the task.
