The Whiteboard: More symbolic dates NBA could pick for Opening Day

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The status of the NBA’s schedule for the 2021-22 season is still very much up in the air. The league has proposed a 72-game season starting on Dec. 22 and claimed they could lose as much as $1 billion by pushing things back to Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is reportedly the players’ preferred start date. There have already been rumblings that some star players, like LeBron James, may sit out and rest until mid-January, even if the league gets its way with a late December start.

Both the NBA and NBPA agreed to roll back a deadline to finalize changes to the CBA until Nov. 6 so this week is where an agreement should, theoretically, be reached. The dynamics of the compromise are mostly about finances but I wanted to, at least briefly, make a nod to symbolism. Having the NBA season start on MLK Day would certainly be an apt gesture considering the player-led push for social justice and activism. Nothing is going to come close to that in emotional impact but if the league and players want a compromise date, between Dec. 22 and Jan. 18, that makes some other impactful statement, here are a few possibilities:

What other important days could the 2020-21 NBA season begin?

Dec. 30 — National Bacon Day: I mean, creating synergy between the gold standard of sports and the gold standard of food? The press releases basically write themselves.

Jan. 2 — National Science Fiction Day: The league could really lean into their rapid advancements in technology and player performance. Maybe those hologram referees are ready for a test run? Maybe it’s time to announce that goal of interplanetary expansion by 2030?

Jan. 8 — Bubble Bath Day: NBA players have been working hard to remove the stigma from mental health conversations. This could be a big banner wave for self-care in these trying times. Let’s get Ernie, Kenny, Shaq and Chuck in a big bathtub instead of behind the desk.

Jan. 9 — National Static Electricity Day: Put some carpets down in front of the bench. Let the players build up a charge and then shock each other on drives to the basket. Have Moochie Norris and Ben Wallace throw up the ceremonial first tip.

Jan. 12 — National Hot Tea Day: I just love the idea of Adam Silver sipping tea, Kermit style, behind a montage of Tweets about how the Orlando NBA bubble was an irresponsible disaster waiting to happen.

Jan. 14 — National Dress Up Your Pet Day: Imagine the pure joy, every NBA player bringing their pets to the game, parading them around the court in adorable little costumes. Surely the league can recognize that losing $800 million but giving this gift to the world is worth it.

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