Hello, National Basketball Association; Welcome to Our Happy Place

I am a sports fan; more specifically, an NFL fan. That being said, today’s news that the NBA’s board of governors voted to resume the 2019-2020 pro basketball season at Walt Disney World has me a bit misty-eyed. While basketball isn’t totally my thing, I’m so excited that live sports will be played again.

Guidelines have been laid down in the plan for the end to the season to help keep players and coaches safe. They’ll have the option to play golf or eat in a restaurant in an outdoor setting, and players will be tested daily for COVID-19. If a player tests positive, that player will be treated and quarantined, but while he’s out, play will continue. To have a plan in place to sustain competitive play even when a player tests positive is huge. To me, it’s a light at the end of the tunnel. It signals that there just might be a way to work around this horrible virus.

The games will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, and the 22 invited teams will stay at the Walt Disney World resorts. They will play inside of a bubble; no fans will attend the games, and in-person interactions between the outside world and the players will be few and far between. I have visions of seeing LeBron strolling around Disney Springs, but, alas, that’s just not going to happen. But just knowing that the NBA players will be on Walt Disney World property will bring me joy. Although, I would love to know the resort that each team is assigned. I mean, who gets a moderate resort and who gets to stay in a deluxe? These are the details we need, right? I digress.

So, hello basketball. Welcome to our happy place. I know there are many additional details and innumerable logistics to map out, but, when all of that’s in place, we’ll be glad to have you here. And, even though football might be more of my thing, I’m a sports fan. I can’t wait see nightly game highlights and hear commentary and watch you (from afar) do your thing.

And knowing it’s all happening at my happy place will make it all the more sweet.