On March 11, National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver decided to suspend the remainder of the NBA season until further notice after a player from the Utah Jazz tested positive for the coronavirus. This decision sparked shock and frustration from many players and fans across the world. The sports world started taking the situation more seriously as more and more players started testing positive, suspending all sporting events indefinitely.
While the NBA season still has not officially been canceled, with the U.S. having the most cases of the virus in the world, we may not see the NBA season finished.
The Los Angeles Lakers were in first place in the Western Conference and were the favorites to win the championship this year. Living in California, there are plenty of Laker fans who are disappointed with what has happened regarding the NBA season, yet they understand the severity of this virus and agree that health is more important. The Poly Post interviewed some students to get their opinions on the situation.
fourth-year
psychology student
“It’s almost as if there has been a curse placed upon L.A. First, the Rams lost a Super Bowl a couple years ago, the Dodgers failed to win a handful of World Series in the previous years, and now the Lakers aren’t even allowed a chance to prove themselves. Man, all I’ve ever wanted to experience is a championship parade in downtown L.A.”
fourth-year business administration student
“Being a Lakers fan since I was a kid, it’s sad to see such a special season abruptly put on hold. However, the most important thing right now is making sure that we can achieve a safe environment again. Hopefully once that is achieved, we can watch the Lakers make a run for the championship.”
fifth-year food
science and
technology student
“I feel like this may be an opportunistic comeback for the Lakers; however, the season was canceled. As disappointing as it is, I understand why the season had to be canceled, along with everything else. Once this whole situation is over — and it will be — we’ll all be ready to see the Lakers rise again to claim their championship.”
second-year
kinesiology student
“It’s really disappointing any time your team can’t compete for a championship. You just hope they don’t lose their momentum and everyone stays healthy if the season finally resumes. It was right around the best time for all sports, not only basketball, but we also have to realize that this is bigger than sports.”
