NBA games could be very different in the coming months. The NBA recently issued a memo to all 30 teams stating that they should prepare emergency plans in case they need to play games in an empty arena due to the spread of the coronavirus. Boston Celtics star player Kemba Walker reacted to the news and said “it would be terrible” for the league, according to Tom Westerholm of MassLive.
Kemba Walker about playing in an empty gym because of the coronavirus: “It would be terrible. … They might as well cancel the whole game before that. It would be zero.”
– Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) March 7, 2020
This NBA decision is obviously a safety measure to protect its players and even its fans. Several sporting events and indoor activities with large numbers of people have already been canceled or postponed for precautionary measures.
It is definitely an awkward situation for the NBA. The epidemic that started in Wuhan, China has conquered the world, affecting thousands of people in different countries. However, the impact in North America has been minimal compared to other regions of the world, particularly in Asia.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently said he would not play if the NBA required play without the presence of fans.
In addition to the unusual and downright strange gaming experience, not allowing fans to watch live games will have a major impact on the finances of the league. Without thousands of fans present, the NBA will lose a lot of its revenue.
Nothing is yet set in stone. However, Walker and the Celtics should prepare for the possibility of playing TD Garden without their beloved and devoted Celtics fans encouraging them.