The LeBron James and Ben Simmons photos highlight a bigger problem
By John Likanje
LeBron James and Ben Simmons were seen playing pickup at an open run in Los Angeles without any facial protection.
Twelve days ago, pictures came out of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons playing pickup basketball in Los Angeles (via Sportscenter).
At the time, the news didn’t gain much traction, but it is part of a recent trend within the NBA community: players attending open gyms or playing summer league games despite the numerous risks.
Three weeks ago, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young participated in a summer league game in Oklahoma. There has been footage of other players attending open runs as well such as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Phoenix Suns guard Kelly Oubre, Jr.
New York Times writer Marc Stein reported none of these players have been penalized. Regardless, this is a microcosm of a more concerning issue that must be addressed: NBA players breaking social distancing guidelines or not wearing some type of protection at these events in the midst of a global pandemic.
In my opinion, part of the reason the league has not handed down any punishments is because of the results of the first round of COVID-19 tests in which 16 of 302 players tested positive. In hindsight, that’s the best you can hope for, but those 16 positive tests could have been a result of those players attending an open gym or playing pickup with random strangers.
I understand people are frustrated from being stuck in lockdown for three and a half months. But NBA players are role models for young athletes who will follow their example. Therefore, if young athletes see NBA players breaking social distancing guidelines to play basketball, they will do the same. What’s even more concerning is it’s mostly NBA stars doing this.
It doesn’t help that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka downplayed his franchise player breaking league rules. Some teams will already be severely shorthanded for the restart in Orlando next month. The Brooklyn Nets lost two key guys in Spencer Dinwiddie and DeAndre Jordan who tested positive for coronavirus.
As we get closer to July 30, we’ll definitely see a decrease in players participating in open gyms or summer league games unless a massive decline in cases throughout the country occur. But hopefully this is a lesson that the NBA should create stricter guidelines for the bubble in terms of who will be allowed inside.
If the players can’t be trusted to maintain social distancing when going to the gym with random strangers, then the same concept should apply for the resumption of the season as well.