The Orlando Magic reopened their practice facility on Thursday, and Nikola Vucevic is understandably pleased with the eagerly anticipated development.
The Magic shared on social media that the team’s practice court at Amway Center is open for individual, voluntary, social distancing workouts.
The NBA continues to grapple with the myriad logistical issues associated with resuming a 2019-20 season that was put on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. While several potential resolutions are presently under consideration — including gathering teams in “bubble” cities to play games — the first necessary step of course is getting players back in team facilities.
While further steps obviously need to be taken before the resumption of play, simply getting in a workout at the Magic’s facility was a refreshing experience for Vucevic, albeit under somewhat surreal circumstances.
“It felt good to be back here and get some work in,” Vucevic said, per AP NBA beat writer Tim Reynolds. “But I still want you guys to stay safe, be smart, listen to the experts. It’s still a dangerous time for everybody. But be safe, listen to the experts and I’ll see you soon.”
The Magic are one of 22 NBA teams that are expected to have their practice facilities open for limited player workouts before next Monday.
There are no shortage of complex issues the NBA will have to address before taking any additional steps in an effort to resume play in some way, shape or form.
That said, if over two-thirds of teams will hold social distancing workouts within the next week, such a development certainly has to be viewed as a positive one. Insufficient to declare a resumption of play is imminent, sure, but an encouraging first step.
Whatever the case, it is believed that NBA commissioner Adam Silver is expected to make a decision on whether the season will resume in the next two to four weeks.
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