Rockets: Why Kenny Smith’s advice could be difficult to accept

Former Houston Rockets guard Kenny Smith provided advice that could prove to be difficult for the NBA commissioner Adam Silver to accept.

The Houston Rockets‘ 2020 postseason experience was unconventional, to say the least, as the NBA playoffs were held on the Wide World of Sports campus. NBA commissioner Adam Silver was forced to adapt to the challenging and disparaging effects of the novel coronavirus, which initially forced the sports world to shut down.

The Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder’s March 11th matchup was postponed, as Jazz big man Rudy Gobert became the first of many NBA players and athletes to contract the virus, putting the remainder of the 2019-20 season in limbo. Silver and the Players Association sought to find a way to crown a champion, and were the first major sports league that was able to not only resume, but to also successfully finish.

But the league is facing similar challenges heading into the 2020-21 season, as it’s been reported that they’re targeting a timetable of January or February for the season to start, which could pose challenges on the COVID-19 front. We’ve heard that the virus could yield another deadly wave in the winter, as it was believed that the summertime heat would help stave off the spread of the virus, which proved to be inaccurate, as the United States has already seen 7.89 million total cases and roughly 216,000 deaths, which paints a gruesome-yet-grappling scene.

Doctors and experts have suggested wearing masks to prevent the airborne spread, while also emphasizing the thorough washing of hands, to remove bacteria and reduce the spread of germs. With the virus having claimed countless lives, while re-surfacing for numerous waves, former Houston Rockets guard Kenny Smith provided advice on how to fight off the spread of the virus.

“This is the most contagious virus that we’ve ever seen. So we have to exercise precaution because the only way to really reduce your odds is just to be around less people.”

Why Rockets’ Smith’s advice will be difficult to accept

Smith’s advice remains consistent with what we’ve heard, which could put a damper in the NBA’s hopes and plans for the 2020-21 season. We’ve heard that the league is hoping to have fans back in the arenas, which goes against the advice of what we’ve heard, from not only Smith but also Dr. Fauci, who is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

This could present a problem for the league, and especially coming off of the heels of the success they had in Orlando’s bubble, where they didn’t register any positive cases. But the owners have lost significant revenue due to the absence of fans, and the players have discussed the positive effect that the fans have on the overall outcome of the game.

Many of the fans are also itching to attend the games as well, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 NBA title is proof, as Lakers fans littered the streets in purple and gold to celebrate. This could provide a dicey situation as it pertains to following Smith’s advice and avoiding large gatherings and crowds in the arenas in 2020-21.

With owners having lost significant profits and fans having been starved of live NBA action, it could prove to be difficult for Smith’s advice to be put to use.