Could NBA require 'bubble' situation for 2020-21 season?

On the same day reports surfaced the 2020-21 NBA season likely will begin in December without fans attending games due to the worsening coronavirus pandemic, National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts told ESPN that embracing a "bubble" format may be the only way the Association can complete the future campaign.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Roberts spoke with the network on Tuesday from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hub used for the NBA restart that officially gets underway Thursday:

"If tomorrow looks like today, I don't know how we say we can do it differently. If tomorrow looks like today, and today we all acknowledge -- and this is not Michele talking, this is the league, together with the PA and our respective experts saying, 'This is the way to do it' -- then that's going to have to be the way to do it."

Roberts continued: 

"But because I don't know, all I know is what I know now. So it may be that, if the bubble is the way to play, then that is likely gonna be the way we play next season, if things remain as they are.
"I hope not. Because I'd like to think that people can live with their families. But I can only comment on what I know, and what I know is right now."

While the NBA, NHL, Major League Soccer, and National Women's Soccer League created safe and isolated bubbles for teams, MLB is attempting to finish a 60-game season with players and other personnel traveling for in-market games and living at their homes. 

At least 17 members of the Miami Marlins tested positive for the coronavirus following the opening weekend of play. Miami's season is temporarily suspended. The Philadelphia Phillies, who hosted the Marlins over the weekend, are off from Monday through at least Thursday evening while team members undergo additional virus testing and monitoring.  

However, MLB announced on Tuesday that the other 29 clubs had produced zero positive coronavirus test results since last Friday. 

Together, the stories suggest a bubble may not be absolutely necessary for the NBA's 2020-21 season if -- and that's a massive if -- everybody involved follows health and safety protocols.