"The main reason why we replay is money," said AFP Orlando Evan Fournier, one month before the resumption of the NBA season at Disney World, where he said the winner will be "less respected than a champion after a full season". As for the galloping spread of the coronavirus in Florida, the 27-year-old Frenchman considers it "worrying", but considers that "for the NBA to take such a risk, the security measures will be maximum".
In what state of mind are you thinking of taking back the championship?
At the beginning there were a number of us saying that we had to stop the season, but we became aware of the possible scenarios according to, potential lockout (employer strike), changes in the salary cap (salary cap). .. There would have been such negative effects that we finally agreed to end the season. So the main reason we replay is money. But some are not reassured by the health situation. Then there is the Black Lives Matter movement which mobilizes many players.
A number believe that the time is right to fight racial injustice, not basketball ...
I understand those who do not feel like playing because that would divert attention from this big problem. I am more of those who think, on the contrary, that we have to use the resumption of the season to be heard. The whole world is going to watch us. I believe that the majority of players will come and we will all use this platform that is the NBA to get a big message out. It can be significant.
Are you reassured by the planned health protocols?
For the NBA to take such a risk by resuming the season, it is that the measures will be maximum. They will make our lives easier so that we don't have to ask ourselves questions and make us feel safe every day. They said Disney staff would benefit from additional testing. It's good. Honestly at first, the measures envisaged for them were all nonsense.
You will only have three weeks of group training before playing again. It seems short.
We haven't made any opposition, contact games since March, so yes, it's really very short. The unknown is what will remain of automatisms. Reconnecting with systems in such a short time will be complicated. This is why teams with individual talents that can make a difference will have an advantage. The others, whose game is based on alchemy and the passing game, will have lost the benefit of the work performed and will be penalized.
Why do you think the 2020 champion will be less respected than the others?
An NBA season is 82 games, then play-offs with field advantage. There, the team which will win will be champion of a ... tournament, disputed with little preparation, without advantage of ground. Players will choose not to participate. In some teams, there will be injured who will return when they should not have replayed in the spring. Things are a bit distorted. Ultimately, for future champions, this is not fair. They will have disassembled to win and they will be less respected than a real champion after a full season. So, of course, this team will be a very good team, but they will not have had the normal course that leads to an NBA title.
The following season is scheduled for December and could encroach on the Tokyo Games (July 23-August 8) ...
First the cut will be very short. It will be a big problem. Then, yes, one of my big fears is not to participate in the Olympic Games. I have never played it before. We have great things to do with the Blues. But I will not be able to leave in high season to go there. The NBA knows that many foreigners want to compete in them, that the United States wants to send their best team there. That's why she offered to take over on December 1. If so, I prefer that rather than missing the Games.
- Evan Fournier
- NBA
- Basketball
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