The NBA last week instructed the 30 franchises to consider contingency plans as sport battles the coronavirus outbreak.
Games in the Champions League and the Spanish and French soccer leagues will go ahead without fans for the next two weeks, as authorities look to control the virus.In a memo directed to teams last week, the NBA floated a similar suggestion, urging teams to consider contingency plans to minimize the number of people congregating in one venue.
"If there's no fans, they might as well drive up here and let's play in the practice facility," the Trail Blazers point guard was quoted as saying by"Instead of just going to the arena and playing in an empty arena, let's just play in our practice uniforms. If you can't sell tickets, what does that mean? Are you going to have a TV game with nobody there, how does that work?"and autographing items.
Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers sets the play during the first half of the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Moda Center on March 7 in Portland, Oregon.In a document sent to the 30 franchises, the league explained players should opt to fist-bumps fans instead of high-fiving them and should refrain from taking pens from strangers to sign autographs.
Players have also been told to avoid touching balls, jerseys, caps and any item fans may want signed."Obviously, it's concerning," the five-time All-Star said. "Especially in the environment that we work in, we're constantly high-fiving and signing autographs and greeting people. We're always in the presence of thousands of people. So, you're concerned."In a joint statement released along with the
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