Report: Lakers, Clippers Set Up Team-Wide Zoom Workouts Amid Coronavirus Hiatus
The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are planning to use the videoconferencing service Zoom to set up workouts for their respective rosters, according to Stadium's Shams Charania:
NBA players have been left to train on their own amid the COVID-19 pandemic after the league ordered the indefinite closure of team facilities to limit the spread of the virus.
The closure of non-essential businesses across the United States has also prevented players from congregating at local gyms to organize their own workouts.
Danny Green explained to the Orange County Register's Kyle Goon that some players didn't think to invest in elaborate home gyms because they expected to have access to their team's facility when they needed it:
"Most guys would ask, 'What the hell do I need a home gym for? I have one I can always go to.' It's usually a good reason to get out of the house, too. But now, when you can't get out of the house, it's like, 'Oh (expletive), what do we do now?' You might go in your garage, find weights, get a run in, bike or work on the stairs. Anything you can do."
According to Goon, the Lakers' strength and conditioning staff arranged for players to receive some necessary equipment and has remained in communication with them to address any questions.
As Charania referenced, the lack of available facilities and equipment has created concerns over whether the players will be physically ready for any restart to the 2019-20 season. The issue is particularly pressing if the league decides to scrap some or most of the remaining regular-season games in order to accommodate a more traditional playoff structure.
The New York Post's Marc Berman spoke to a source who said NBA executives are "very determined to have a champion." Berman added that having teams play what would remain a full 82-game season is "barely an option at this stage."
According to the report, late June or early June appears to be the earliest action could resume—whatever form it takes.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was more ambiguous during an appearance on ESPN's Get Up on Wednesday. Having said he thought June 1 could be a realistic target, Cuban updated his position to say he "[has] no idea."
Holding Zoom calls is a good way for the players to interact with one another and get on roughly the same workout regimen.
However, they probably won't fully remove the generally uneasy feeling about the uncertainty hovering over the NBA's immediate future.
