COVID-19 has taken an enormous toll on the NBA community. With no fans in the stadiums, players constantly facing the risk of exposure, and the difficulties of the condensed schedule, things haven't exactly been easy for players or teams this year.
Fortunately, things have started to look up. With COVID-19 numbers going down, and the vaccine having been rolled out, many cities are loosening restrictions, and games have almost become a beacon of normalcy for the nation.
For the Portland Trail Blazers, however, they seem to be a bit behind, as Portland has yet to announce plans to ease restrictions on group gatherings.
Damian Lillard expressed his frustration on Twitter.
While you can't necessarily blame a city for trying to keep their citizens safe, having fans in the arena is an advantage that the Blazers can't enjoy right -- a point that Lakers veteran Jared Dudley would later allude to.
Naturally, fans cracked some jokes about the Blazers not having fans anyway, but it is definitely something to think about.
In a season with so much difficulty, it doesn't make life easier for the Blazers if they're the only team in the league without home-court advantage.
Nevertheless, it might still be some time before Portland loosens up their restrictions.
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