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As every NBA fan is well aware, the league is attempting to take every precaution to prevent the spread of infection within their basketball community as it gets set to resume games down in Orlando.
From not allowing players and staff to leave the “bubble” (and if they do, putting them under quarantine when they return) to constructing a barber shop from the ground up to making sure everyone is tested (which has so far yielded zero positive results) the NBA has come up with some very unique ways to keep everyone involved safe.
The NBA’s latest announced innovation, however, is getting roasted by fans because, well, it seems kind of pointless and stupid.
On Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the league will be instituting “Timeout Chairs” during games.
What are “Timeout Chairs” you ask?
No, they are not where players will be sent to “think about what they’ve done” when they misbehave.
They are going to be movable chairs placed on the court so players and coaches can huddle so all players currently in the game will be apart from bench during time outs, which will then be cleaned and disinfected by team staff at end of each timeout.
What exactly is the point of doing this I again hear you asking?
I really do not know.
The players are being tested every day, coaches and trainers will be wearing masks, and, ummm… stuff like this…
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…is going to happen on a very regular basis throughout each game.
Needless to say, fans were more than a little perplexed by this particular safety measure.
I’d say this is a bit excessive if the players are playing a full contact sport.
— JustAnotherNBAFan™ (@AnotherNBAFan) July 22, 2020
I get NBA is doing everything they can but this too much and it doesn't make sense. These players will guard each make contact with other during the game but you can't sit close to each other
— DD🩷 (@lindaa309) July 22, 2020
Hilarious given the fact they're playing basketball in the current global epicentre of covid lol
— Myki (@MykiSwish30) July 22, 2020
When you run around on the court the covid can’t catch you but when you are sitting still the covid can get you so this is a very wise and important measure the NBA is applying
— Seamus (@ShaneBanks11) July 22, 2020
Pretty sure that’s not true.
Also… players may climb all over one another to get a rebound, but absolutely NO DOUBLES PING PONG! (Seriously, that’s not allowed.)
https://twitter.com/GodFatha702/status/1283844973117538305Uh – this is a TEAM sport, and I’m pretty sure if doubles ping pong isn’t allowed, this has to be a bubble rules violation
— The Wedding Attendee Guy from Nashville™️, JD/MBA (@ShravanMalaney) July 21, 2020