Shaquille O'Neal On Resuming NBA Season Amid Coronavirus Pandemic: 'Just Scrap It'

Many industries have been forced to shut down in March because of the coronavirus, including the National Basketball Association. And while execs of the organization are looking at the possible resumption of the season, Shaquille O’Neal thinks it is best just to scrap it entirely.

“I think we should scrap the season. Everybody go home, get healthy, come back next year. Just scrap it,” the retired basketball superstar told USA Today when asked how he feels about reopening the season.

O’Neal further highlighted the importance of the safety of the fans and players and how it could be compromised when the season reopening is rushed. While he acknowledged how a cancellation would make other athletes feel, he reiterated that winning this year would come with a risk.

The season was suddenly halted in March when Rudy Gobert contracted the new strain of the coronavirus. USA Today reported that fans and players alike thought it was a brief hiatus and the game would resume in summer.

Utah Jazz’s center flew with his team to Oklahoma City and was feeling fine at the time. Aside from Gobert, there were also his teammate Donovan Mitchell, Detroit Pistons’ Christian Wood, Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart, and Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant, among many others.

According to The Washington Post, two teams, Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers, were allowed to work out in their facilities as of now. However, commissioner Adam Silver, in a video conference, said that it might take a month before a decision about the season is made.

The NBA is also looking at the possibility of games without viewers, which O’Neal didn’t like because fans give off a different kind of adrenaline.

“I need to look at that one fan that laughs at me when I miss a free throw. I need to look at that one fan that’s holding up the opposing sign,” he said.

Mark Cuban, who owns the Dallas Mavericks, isn’t opening the doors of his team’s facility just yet until mass testing is guaranteed, Fox Business reported. He added it can be hard to keep everyone safe without doing this not just on players but to everyone.

However, unlike O’Neal, Cuban still wishes the NBA could find ways to continue the season safely.