Los Angeles (AFP)

The NBA boss reiterated Tuesday that the season would be stopped if cases of coronavirus multiply in Orlando (Florida), while ensuring that resuming in the "bubble" of Disney World remains the "safest" option, during an interview at Time.com.

Asked to specify when a spread of the Covid-19 would become critical for the course of the season, Silver acknowledged that he was not able to do so, given the "unpredictability" that continues 'accompany the virus.

"Honestly ... I'm not sure I know. We have a panel of scientists, doctors and experts working with us. We'll see as we go along. If the cases are isolated, it's a thing, if we record a lot, we will stop, "he said.

Last week, Silver had already mentioned this scenario, conceding that resuming the championship, suspended since March 11, was not without risk. A fortiori while a spectacular resurgence of cases occurs in Florida.

However, he wanted to defend his project to resume play from July 30 in a secure bubble as allowed by the Disney World complex.

"I am sure it will be safer on this campus than outside because, as far as I know, there are not many other places where so many employee tests are done. A in some ways it may even be a model for how other industries could open up, "he argued.

- Slightly delayed matches? -

Friday, the NBA announced that 16 of the 302 players tested last Tuesday were positive, a rate of 5.3%. "It is not alarming. But where I am most relieved is that among these cases, none is serious," she said.

Also questioned about the possibility of players kneeling during the American anthem, in protest against racial injustice in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Silver does not seem determined to oppose it.

"I don't disagree with this notion that people come together in a united way during the national anthem," he said. "But I also recognize that there are appropriate times to protest. At the end of the day, we just have to be true to ourselves and the values ​​that underlie this league."

If the players will probably pass messages on this hot topic, they could also be heard, behind closed doors and silence required, on the floor where some are used to practicing "trash talking". "There must be limits to the language. Players may have to adapt," said Silver, who does not rule out a slight "delay in television broadcasts".

Finally, on a more diplomatic ground, the commissioner of the league said that relations between the NBA and China were improving almost 10 months after the crisis generated by the tweet of the general manager of Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, in support to protesters in Hong Kong.

"Our matches are (back) on Tencent (Chinese internet giant). We have continued the dialogue with the Chinese, with our trading partners there, with certain government officials, and we will continue to do so," a he assured.

© 2020 AFP