Congressional leaders said inauguration sent unifying message despite unprecedented security
NBA owners approve 22-team season restart plan
Posted: Jun 4, 2020 / 05:22 PM HST / Updated: Jun 4, 2020 / 05:22 PM HST
A sign marking the entrance to ESPN's Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World is seen Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. The NBA has told the National Basketball Players Association that it will present a 22-team plan for restarting the season at Disney. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The NBA took a major step toward getting back on the court Thursday, with the league's Board of Governors approving a 22-team format for restarting the league season next month at the Disney campus near Orlando, Florida.
The vote was 29-1, with Portland casting the dissenting vote, said a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league did not publicly release voting details. The National Basketball Players Association has scheduled a meeting for Friday to vote on the plan.
Teams would arrive at Disney around July 7 and play an eight-game slate of games starting July 31 at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports complex. All teams will stay, practice and play at Disney and the NBA Finals — which would have started Thursday if not for the coronavirus pandemic that caused the NBA to suspend its season on March 11 — will likely stretch into October.
"The Board's approval of the restart format is a necessary step toward resuming the NBA season," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "While the COVID-19 pandemic presents formidable challenges, we are hopeful of finishing the season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalized with public health officials and medical experts."
The eight-game slate — it's unclear if they will be classified as regular season games — will help determine playoff seeding. From there, the league could have a play-in tournament for the final spot in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference postseason fields.
"While there is still work to be done, we applaud all the effort and collaboration that has gone into finding a safe, competitive format," Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins said. "It has always been our feeling that sports have the ability to bring people together and we look forward to restarting the NBA season while using that platform to drive meaningful social impact at this period of time."MORE NBA STORIES:
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There are numerous other details to continue working through, including finalizing specifics of what the testing plan at Disney will entail and calculating the financial ramifications of playing fewer games.
Another person, also speaking to AP on condition of anonymity because the details of the ongoing talks have not been publicly released, said the NBPA and the NBA are working on "lengthy" medical protocols. The details will be shared with teams once those discussions are completed, which will be long before they arrive at Disney, the person said.
"The NBA is taking all the appropriate measures, and working tirelessly to provide a safe environment for our team and staff," the Dallas Mavericks said in statement.
While working to finish this season, the league also has made decisions on next season — with the draft lottery rescheduled for Aug. 25, the draft on Oct. 15 and opening night for the 2020-21 campaign is tentatively set for Dec. 1. The G League also announced Thursday that it canceled the remainder of this season.
The 22 Disney-bound clubs would play somewhere between 71 and 75 games before the playoffs begin, down from the customary 82-game slate. The teams who didn't qualify for the restart will see their seasons end after having played somewhere between 64 and 67 games.
Roughly 15% of what would have been the full NBA regular season won't be played, which means players stand to lose around $600 million in salary. How that process will work is among the issues that the league and union are still working to solve.
But one of the biggest hurdles is now cleared, in an NBA season like none other. The league is planning for the same playoff rules as usual, that being every round utilizing a best-of-seven format.
The 22-team plan includes all teams that were holding playoff spots when the season was stopped, plus all other clubs within six games of a berth.Full Coverage: NBA
Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston and reigning NBA champion Toronto had already clinched playoff berths. Now with only eight games remaining for each team, it means that eight other clubs — Miami, Indiana, Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver, Utah, Oklahoma City and Houston — have postseason spots secured, and Dallas virtually has one as well.
That leaves nine teams vying for three remaining playoff berths. In the East, Brooklyn, Orlando and Washington are in the race for two spots. In the West, Memphis, Portland, New Orleans, Sacramento, San Antonio and Phoenix will jostle for one spot.
If the gap between eighth place and ninth place in either conference is four games or less when the eight-game slate ends, those teams will play off for the No. 8 seed. The team in ninth place would have to go 2-0 in a two-game series to advance.
"There is still much work to be done, but we are excited to be able to return to the court," Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said.
For Atlanta, Cleveland, New York, Golden State, Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago and Charlotte, the season is over. The Knicks will miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, the third-longest current drought in the league behind Sacramento and Phoenix — who still have chances of getting into the playoffs this season.
"While we are disappointed for our team and our fans that our season is coming to an end, we understand and accept the league's plan to move forward with 22 teams," Timberwolves President Gersson Rosas said. "It is important that we be a good teammate not only to the NBA, but to the other 29 teams to support the efforts to complete this season and prepare for next season in a healthy and safe manner."
And with the Hawks done, it also means Vince Carter has likely played the final game of his 22-year NBA career — the longest in league history.
Carter, the first player in NBA history to appear in four different decades, plans to retire. He appeared in 1,541 NBA games, behind only Robert Parish (1,611) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,560) on the all-time list.
Makua Rothman hopes epic ride at Jaws could not only challenge world record but prove that 'if you believe, you can achieve'
Already with a lifetime of incredible achievements, accolades, and experiences, Hawaii's Makua Rothman surfed the wave of a lifetime this past weekend on Maui.
The former World Surf League Big Wave Champion successfully rode a wave on Saturday, estimated by onlookers as up to 100 feet high at the world famous Jaws break at Pe'ahi.
Rainbow Wahine prepare for Big West home opening series versus Cal State Fullerton this weekend
by Hawai'i Athletics / Jan 20, 2021
HONOLULU— The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team will continue with their Big West Conference schedule by hosting Cal State Fullerton inside SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on Friday and Saturday.
Game 5 & 6Who: Hawai'i vs. Cal State Fullerton When: Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 & Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021Time: 7:00 p.m. HT- both daysWhere: Honolulu, O'ahu., SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff CenterTelevision: Spectrum Sports– Channels 12 (SD) and 1012 (HD). Kanoa Leahey (play-by-play) and Lori Santi (color) on the call.Streaming Video: BigWest.TV Radio: ESPN Honolulu- 1420 AM/92.7 FM), KRKH (Maui), KPUA (Hawai'i Island), and KTOH (Kaua'i) with Dave Kawada and Tiff Wells.Audio Webcast: ESPNHonolulu.com/Sideline Hawai'i AppLive Stats: HawaiiAthletics.comCoaches: Head coach Laura Beeman is in her ninth season at UH (134-128). Greg McCall (39-58) is in his fourth season at Cal State Fullerton.Series Information: UH leads 25-18.Game Sponsors: Hawaiian Airlines (Friday) & Outrigger Hotels and Resorts (Saturday) Game Story Lines • UH is coming off a road trip at CSU Bakersfield, where the Rainbow Wahine dropped back-to-back games. A year ago, UH dropped two or more games in a row only on three occasions, while only being swept by a conference member once, and that was against UC Davis. • Leading up to the two losses at CSUB, UH did not have a game for nearly a month, 24 days to be exact. Before the series with the Roadrunners, UH had back-to-back Big West Conference series with Cal Poly and UC Riverside canceled due to COVID-19. • In the first game against the Runners, UH fell into an early hole in the first quarter, 10-0, and spent the rest of the game trying to work back. The Bows pulled within four in the fourth quarter but ultimately fell 64-57. Senior guard Jadynn Alexander led the scoring attack with 12 points, hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. • Game two had a different start as the 'Bows jumped out to an early lead but went cold in the second quarter scoring a season-low four points. Senior forward Amy Atwell scored 11 points in the fourth quarter leading to a season-high 23 points, hitting five three-pointers, and going 4-for-4 from the charity stripe in the loss. But even as Atwell caught fire, pulling UH within four, CSUB hit 5-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final moments of the contest to hold on to the 51-43 win. • A common theme in the two losses was also a common theme in games against Hawai'i Pacific and UH Hilo, turnovers. In three of four games this season, UH has had 20 or more turnovers. The only exception was in game one against the Runners, where the 'Bows had 17 miscues. • Freshman guard Deajah Phillips continues to be a bright spot for UH, averaging 12.5 points per game for second on the team. Phillips is one of three players to start all four games in 2020-2021, the other two being Alexander and Atwell.
PGA Champions Tour set to begin final leg of 2021 PGA Aloha Swing at Hualalai Golf Course
by PGATOUR.COM / Jan 20, 2021
The third leg of the PGA Aloha Swing arrives on the Big Island for the 25th annual Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai. It's a milestone year for the course and event. Hualalai becomes the 1st Champions Tour tournament to be hosted at the same venue for 25 straight years.
42 players are in the field this week. Seven have already played a portion of the 1st two legs on Maui then on O'ahu last week. Jim Furyk and Mike Weir were the best finishes of the seven making the trip from Waialae CC to Kona. They both tied for 47th.
Maui stores prepare to cut down on customers as new Maui rules start Tuesday