Toronto Raptors: Playing rest of season in Toronto could be problematic
The Toronto Raptors could be a potential host to the NBA returning, but there are some issues that would have to be addressed first.
With the NBA looking to prepare a plan to resume its season, the Toronto Raptors could have games played at Scotiabank Arena.
According to Yahoo! Sports insider Chris Haynes, commissioner Adam Silver has told players that Toronto is among the cities that are being considered as an option to host NBA games. This comes not too long after the Raptors opened up the OVO Athletic Centre to players and staff to conduct workouts.
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Getting the training facility open is certainly a step in the right direction. However, considering only one player and coach are allowed at a time, there is still a lot of work to be done to get into a situation where a group of players can be on the court together.
If and when that day does come the Raptors will certainly have the resources to facilitate it. Seeing Toronto being named as a potential host to NBA games shouldn’t be surprising.
There adequate facilities including hotels, practice courts and a couple of potential host arenas. While those are certainly enticing reasons to consider Toronto, the NBA doesn’t seem sold on coming to Canada either.
"“(Silver) mentioned Toronto in that conference call, too,” Haynes told Sportsnet’s Tim & Sid. “He said Toronto is an option, but he would like to keep the season in the (United) States. But he said he’s not ruling out Toronto.”"
Right now any traveller coming to Canada has to self-quarantine for two weeks upon arrival, which would mean any player not in the country will have to wait before they can even get to a court. While the league will try to keep travel to a minimum, having most of the players based in the United States doesn’t make it as feasible to consider Toronto as an option right now.
On top of that, Haynes believes the NBA will have enticing options like Las Vegas and Orlando that provide what Toronto can as host cities. The laws in the United States will also make things less complicated when it comes to travel restrictions.
Before all this can even be decided, the league will also have to navigate the potential concerns players might have if someone were to test positive for COVID-19 if and when the season does resume.
So at this rate, even if Toronto is still in the mix as a potential city where NBA games can be played, it seems less than likely to hold them up here. Really the focus should be about getting to a point where players can safely play.
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What do you think about Toronto as a potential host city? Do you think we are getting close to having the NBA season resume? Let us know in the comments below.