Magic Evan Fournier reacts on NBA’s plans for resumption of the season
Evan Fournier backed up NBA’s plans for the season restart in Orlando despite the pandemic and the fact that the cases seem to skyrocket:
“The resurgence is worrying, but it doesn’t actually change habits,” Fournier told in a recent interview with AFP. “If anything, seeing more and more cases makes you want to be even more careful.. […] For the NBA to take such a risk by resuming the season, the measures will be maximum. They will make our lives easier so that we do not have to ask questions and make us feel safe every day.”
The 27-year-old French also discussed the financial impact a potential season cancellation would bring to the league, while he also demonstrated respect towards the decision of players who refuse to follow this plan for an array of reasons.
“In the beginning, there were a number of people who said that we had to stop the season. But then we looked at some of the possible consequences — a potential lockout, changes in the salary cap. There would have been such negative effects that we finally agreed to end the season. So the main reason why we are playing again is money.”
“I understand those who don’t feel like playing because it could divert attention from this issue,” Fournier added. “But I believe we should use the restart of the season as an opportunity to be heard.’’
Resuming the season would only boost the effort that the players put in to finally be heard. Simply by playing basketball, utilizing the media and writing quotes on their jerseys, players can promote their messages for equality, social justice or whatever you call it. However, if we look at it from a different perspective, I feel like this is not the moment to ask the players to leave their families and go to Orlando, play basketball and be in a bubble for a couple of months. Everyone should stay next to their families and forget about sports for a bit. Cases seem to increase in the US and sports like basketball with such direct body contact should be avoided. I understand why they want to resume the season — yes the players have to play in order to receive their paychecks and take care of their families and all the other variables regarding their contracts and so on, but looking at how things are progressing, I don’t think that this is the right way to handle it. A lot of players have already tested positive for COVID-19 and who knows how many will during the next couple of weeks. We are talking about lives here. I completely understand and agree with Carmelo Anthony who bolsters that the absence of a vaccine is an insurmountable obstacle that can’t/shouldn’t be bypassed. There is so much uncertainty out there and players shouldn’t put their lives at risk — that’s my take. No matter how much we all miss sports, we can’t be remiss and act as if the virus is gone — it seems like some people have forgotten the existence of it, others refuse to believe it and some are willing to consent with the idea of playing under these circumstances. Yesterday Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, in an online conversation with Shams Charania of The Athletic, said that he is aware of the solemnity and the risk of the situation but he is willing to play.