CBA Rumors: Chinese Basketball Association Pushes Back Planned Restart

The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) planned to resume games this April on the premise that the COVID-19 pandemic was no longer a major threat. And while things over in China seem to be picking up, it appears that the coronavirus remains a big problem on their end.

In a previous post, it was reported how the CBA was recalling all foreign talent to report back to their respective teams. A memo was sent to the teams and players who would not abide faced severe sanctions if they refused. There are about 40 American players who are seeing action in the CBA such as Jeremy Lin, Ty Lawson, and Donatas Motiejunas.

However, the returning players were to undergo the requirements laid by the national and local epidemic prevention and control departments. This included undergoing proper checks and quarantine to make sure that they are clear of the COVID-19 strain. But it appears that there is still a big risk if basketball action resumes and the CBA has opted to move the opening to May, NBC Sports reported.

But at the rate things are going, questions are now being raised if the CBA would be able to resume gameplay at all this year. The pandemic has paralyzed all sports leagues in the globe as the virus continues to spread and claim lives. China has seen a decline in cases but the fact remains that the strain remains. The CBA would have ended by this time, allowing some cagers to try their luck with NBA teams.

A question that the CBA may need to answer soon is what they plan to do looking ahead. Will they wait and finish the current season or scrap it instead? It is the same question that the NBA is facing right now which was in the homestretch of the regular season before suspending games this month.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that canceling the season is a possibility although they are still studying scenarios. Other leagues have suspended games as well. The NFL and the MLB still see their seasons pushing through as scheduled while the Premier League made it clear that they will finish the season before starting a new one. Will the CBA do the same?