In a podcast with RocketsWire on Friday afternoon, Houston Rockets CEO Tad Brown expressed optimism that the NBA will be able to resume its 2019-20 season following its coronavirus-induced shutdown.
“First and foremost, we’re going to rely on the health professionals to tell us when it’s safe, and tell us the path on how to move forward for it to be safe for our players, for our coaches, and for the people who are involved in those games,” Brown told RocketsWire.
“But I do feel that we’re going to get this season in, and I do feel that we’re going to have regular-season games. I do feel that we’re going to get the playoffs. It may take a little longer than originally planned. But we’re going to do the right things, because I think everybody’s aligned.”
Brown, who said he hopes the NBA will hold regular-season games prior to the 2020 playoffs, also praised the leadership of owner Tilman Fertitta as the organization navigates the COVID-19 crisis.
“We’re going to come through the other side,” Brown said Friday. I can honestly say Tilman has been fantastic with me, with our staff, with everything that we’re doing while under a significant amount of stress.”
“He’s given me and Daryl [Morey] the directive to continue to handle things the way that we’ve always had to handle things during times of crisis like this. Tilman has been fantastic with the Rockets and Toyota Center organizations, and really supporting us in that endeavor.”
Other topics include the current health of Rockets players; what they’re doing to try and stay in shape now that team facilities are shut down; the possibility of games without fans; and much more. Tune in:
“We want to get back out there to provide the enjoyment and escape for our fans again,” Brown said when asked about games without fans.
“If that means we do some things that are a little bit unique that have not been done in the past, because that’s what our health professionals are telling us to do… then we’re going to look at everything,” he concluded.
