Why this year’s NBA playoffs will have an asterisk (THREAD)

The overarching reason for the asterisk is that this NBA playoffs will be COMPLETELY different from any past or future playoffs, hence the reason for an asterisk regardless of who wins:

These are some of anomalies for this years playoffs:

1. Teams who earned home court advantage during the season will not get to reap the rewards of it.

2. No fans creates atypical atmosphere with much less pressure to perform

Some players have decided and will continue to decide to sit out the rest of the season for family and social justice concerns

Some players have decided and will continue to decide to sit out due to injury concerns

Some older coaches have been restricted and will continue to be restricted from entering the bubble due to health concerns.

Current positive COVID tests have already caused several playoff teams to shut down their practice facilities.

4 month layoff allowed players to rest up, whereas normal playoffs are played after a grueling and tiresome season.

Positive COVID tests during the playoffs will cause players to isolate for 1-2 weeks, perhaps causing them to miss ENTIRE series.

“But Guru, all teams have to experience the same conditions”

So? That doesn’t mean these conditions affect all teams the same way.

No fans, 4 month break, home court advantage stripped, etc. are advantageous to some teams and disadvantageous to others.

Bottom line:

People saying there is no asterisk on this playoffs are just saying that because they don’t WANT there to be one.

But when you actually use objective logic and common sense you realize that saying so is shortsighted and foolish.