After much deliberation about how the 2021 NBA season would work this year with the pandemic, the first games were able to tip off on the scheduled date of Dec. 22 with zero COVID-19 cases reported across the league. Most knew that it was nearly impossible to keep this number at zero without going into another bubble like the one for last season. Despite that, the hope was that the number of games postponed would be limited and they could work those into the second half of the season, which is yet to be announced because of these expected rescheduled games. However, as of recently, the chances of the NBA finishing a full season in their current format is very much in jeopardy. 

Although most arenas still are not allowing fans, teams are now traveling around the country to different cities to play their games. Due to the players’ ability to leave their hotels and go to certain places, such as approved restaurants, there have already been many cases that have affected almost every team in some way. 

When a player tests positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed, that player and those they have come in close contact with are ruled out until they have been cleared to play. This practice, called contact tracing, has resulted in teams being unable to play games due to the inability to fulfill the league minimum of eight active players. 

Additionally, it has left many teams without their key players, forcing them to give big minutes to guys who usually never see the court. Some of the league’s best superstars, like Kevin Durant and James Harden, are among the many key players who have had to miss games due to virus-related issues.

One key example of this was when the Philadelphia 76ers were scheduled to play the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 9. Sixers guard Seth Curry then had a positive test, and as a result, fellow Sixers Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, Vincent Poirier and Paul Reed would also have to miss the game due to contact tracing. Because the Sixers were already without several other players, including Ben Simmons due to injury, they were in danger of having to forfeit the game.

So, the Sixers had to activate forward Mike Scott to play despite his injury, and he was unable to provide any minutes. The end result was a double digit loss for Philly with four players contributing over 35 minutes. This is very unusual, as there are only 22 players currently averaging 35 minutes or more per game. Aside from rookie Tyrese Maxey, center Dwight Howard and wing Danny Green, every other active player was getting their first meaningful NBA minutes. 

While this is the most prominent example, there have been many more instances of similar situations. If teams have to continue to play like this while their opponents have a fully healthy squad, it seems as if everything would be better off in another bubble, or even delayed, until the NBA can come up with a better answer. Commissioner Adam Silver has proven himself to be one of the smartest and most accommodating commissioners in sports history, so he will do whatever he can to try and make everything as safe and enjoyable as possible for both players and fans. 

From the perspective of a Sixers fan and just a basketball fan in general, all of the COVID-19 related issues in the league have been very distracting and have noticeably affected watching games in a negative way. Seeing teams have to compete night in and night out without their biggest stars really makes each game feel less competitive. As of recently, the Sixers have had some big wins against their biggest rivals, the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. That being said, those wins did not feel earned because both of those teams were not at full strength or even close, with each missing some of their most important pieces with stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo out for Miami and Jayson Tatum out for Boston. 

Additionally, all the canceled games have been very disappointing. While looking at the schedule, fans often highlight certain games on their calendar and look forward to watching their favorite teams and players. This year, many of those highlighted games are canceled just hours before, which can be very disappointing for fans. Teams who have too many players that have been exposed are also often shut down for what can be weeks, causing them to miss many games in a row. Fans now cannot watch their favorite team for that time. As a die hard fan of the Sixers, I know that if they did not have any games for an extended period then I would begin to get frustrated watching other games go on as scheduled.

A final negative to these games being canceled and players being forced out is that it can really hurt a team’s momentum. In the start of the season, the Sixers looked to be incredible and all in sync with the best chemistry any Sixers team has had in years. Just as they hit their stride, Curry had his positive COVID-19 test, and that slowed all the team’s momentum and chemistry. They have had to build that back up as players begin to return from the injury report one by one.

Based on all these negative impacts to the league, it appears they may have rushed into this season. After what has been a shaky start to the year, a break to figure everything out and make a better overall playing environment might not be a bad idea.