The National Basketball Association is scheduled to set to return on July 30 in Orlando’s Walt Disney World. Even though the majority of players were in agreement to play eight regular season games followed by a full playoff, there have been five NBA players who have voiced their concerns about returning. Let’s take a look at the five and their reasons for being hesitant of returning.
5) Dwight Howard–Los Angeles Lakers–According to CNN, Howard said, “I want to win a championship. I just feel like our people, we need attention.” The eight-time all-star and five-time NBA rebounding leader is still looking to win his first NBA Finals championship. The native of Atlanta, Georgia is 34 years old, and is on a Lakers team that leads the Western Conference with a record of 49 wins and 14 losses. However, Williams told Don Lemon of CNN that he believes “racial injustice needs to be prioritized over restarting the season.”
4) Carmelo Anthony–Portland Trail Blazers–The veteran forward is a 12-time all-star and led the NBA with 28.7 points per game while with the New York Knicks in 2012-13. At 36 years of age, the native of Brooklyn, New York wants more information before making a decision. According to Scott Gleeson of USA Today, Anthony said, “we don’t have all the details. We don’t know a lot of information, so until we have that, it’s hard to just commit to that 100 percent.” Well on Tuesday, the NBA did announce more details. Players will live in luxury with a players-only gaming lounge, barbers, manicurists, pedicurists, movie screenings and free access to all other NBA games. Each team will also be allowed a 35-person travelling party. Anthony is averaging 15.3 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game.
3) Lou Williams–Los Angeles Clippers–According to heatnation.com, Williams stated, “we are fighting for a radical change. Sports has been a healing factor. In this climate…it’s a distraction.” The 33-year-old veteran guard has since received support from Miami Heat small forward Jae Crowder. Williams, a native of Memphis, Tennessee and three-time NBA sixth man of the year, is averaging 18.7 points per game, and 5.7 assists per game in 2019-20.
2) CJ McCollum–Portland Trail Blazers–The 28 year-old shooting guard from Canton, Ohio is averaging 22.5 points per game with the Trail Blazers this season. The 2016 NBA’s most improved player of the year is concerned about players returning to play amid coronavirus. The state of Florida is a coronavirus hot spot. There are currently 82, 719 cases in the state with 3,021 deaths. McCollum is also reportedly concerned about the financial implications that could come in future collective bargaining negotiations with the NBA if players refuse to play according to Stevie Cozens of Fansided.
1) Kyrie Irving–Brooklyn Nets–The six-time all-star point guard from Melbourne, Australia, is healthy to return to the NBA after undergoing shoulder surgery in February. But how much does Irving want to come back? The 28 year-old is concerned about many factors, including coronavirus, social justice reform, the level of restrictiveness inside the bubble, and matters related to insurance and liabilities. The Nets could really use Irving’s offensive talents as he is averaging 27.4 points per game, 6.4 assists per game, and 5.2 rebounds per game this season.
