NBA Rumors: A Vote Would Be 'Required' to Crown a Champion Without Playoffs

If the remainder of the 2019-20 NBA season is canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, the only hope for a champion being crowned would reportedly be via a vote.  

According to Marc Stein of the New York Times in his weekly NBA newsletter, there is nothing present in the NBA bylaws to name a champion without the playoffs taking place, but the NBA is open to ideas, including a vote.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told TNT's Ernie Johnson on April 6 (h/t Sports Business Daily): "We're in listening mode right now."

Despite that, Stein noted that observers can "safely assume" an NBA champion won't be determined through a vote. The Milwaukee Bucks owned the league's best record at 53-12 prior to the suspension of play.

The 2019-20 season was suspended in March after Utah Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert became the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19. Since then, several other players and personnel have been diagnosed with the coronavirus as well.

Given that there is also no clear end in sight to stay-at-home orders, the shuttering of non-essential businesses and rules mandating that no more than 10 people gather at once across the nation, there is no guarantee that the NBA will be able to complete the 2019-20 campaign.

Even if clearance is given at some point, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Monday that the NBA and its teams will need 25 days to get everything in order before resuming under one proposal.

If the government continues to prevent gatherings of more than 10 people into the summer, however, the NBA may not be able to afford a 25-day reintegration process, especially since it could significantly impact free agency and the draft.

Before the 2019-20 season was suspended, reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were the overwhelming favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

Meanwhile, LeBron James and Anthony Davis had the Los Angeles Lakers in first in the West at 49-14, although Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers were also a factor in second at 44-20.

Although seasons have been shortened because of lockouts, an NBA champion has been crowned every year since the first NBA Finals in 1947, which saw the Philadelphia Warriors beat the Chicago Stags.

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Bleacher Report's David Gardner interviews athletes and other sports figures for the podcast How to Survive Without Sports. In this episode, MLB outfielder Dexter Fowler.