Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban doest not believe that the NBA season will be cancelled entirely, but he could see the season postponed long enough that games could be played into August. During an appearance on ESPN's Get Up on Thursday morning, Cuban explained how the league could play a handful of regular season games once the season resumes before going into the post-season format.
As it stands, most NBA teams have approximately 20 games remaining on the regular season slate; Cuban thinsk they may only play a third of those games before jumping into the playoffs later this summer.
The NBA suspended the season until further notice on Wednesday night, after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. The league's statement reads in part: "The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of Wednesday's schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic."
Of course, the players and coaches aren't the only ones impacted by the work stoppage. As a result, Mark Cuban is putting in motion a plan to financially support hourly employees that work at the American Airlines Center.
Mark Cuban Fires Off On NBA Refs For "20 Years" Of Bad Officiating
In a series of tweets, Mark Cuban called out NBA refs for over "20 years" of bad officiating after the Mavericks' loss to the Hawks on Saturday night.
The Dallas Mavericks lost 111-107 to the Atlanta Hawks, Saturday night, prompting a series of tweets from Mark Cuban directed at NBA officials.
Hector Vivas / Getty Images
As ESPN reports, Cuban's remarks were aimed at an overturned goaltending call on a shot from Atlanta's John Collins, which sealed the game.
"So they call a goaltend," Cuban began. "They literally blew the whistle that it was a goaltend. There was a putback after the whistle. After review, they said no goaltend but count the basket? WTF is that? That's NBA officiating.
"1 of the refs told us it was an inadvertent whistle, so it was not goaltending. Doesn't matter that people stopped. They thought the whistle came after the putback. So the basket counted. So what where they reviewing if it wasn't a goaltend?"
Crew chief Rodney Mott explained the call after the game to reporters: "The ball hit the rim, so it was deemed an inadvertent whistle because it was ruled a good block. By rule, it's an inadvertent whistle. It's Rule 2. Because he (Collins) was in his shooting motion when my whistle blew, it's deemed a continuation, so therefore, the basket counts."
"Refs have bad games," Cuban continued. "Crews have bad games. But this isn't a single game issue. This is the same s--- that has been going on for 20 years. Hire former refs who think they know how to hire, train and manage. Realize 2 years later they can't. Repeat."
Cuban has been fined over $2 million for his comments on officiating since purchasing the Mavericks.
Dallas Mavericks To Retire No. 24 In Honor Of Kobe Bryant
"The number 24 will never again be worn by a Dallas Maverick.”
On Sunday, the sports world, and the world as a whole, lost one of the all-time greats. Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, and his 13-year old daughter Gianna, were among nine killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
Just hours after news of the tragic accident, several NBA teams took the floor and paid tribute to Kobe in a variety of ways. This included a 24-second moment of silence before each game, and multiple teams accepting 24-second shot clock violations following tip-off. Atlanta Hawks All Star point guard Trae Young even donned Kobe's old No. 8 as he went off for 45 points, 14 assists and six rebounds.
Additionally, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced that the Mavs will retire No. 24 in Kobe's honor.
Though the Mavericks weren't in action on Sunday, Cuban issued the following statement regarding the tragedy.
"Kobe was an ambassador for our game, a decorated legend and a global icon. Above all, he was a loving and dedicated father. Kobe’s legacy transcends basketball, and our organization has decided that the number 24 will never again be worn by a Dallas Maverick.”
The Los Angeles Lakers have already retired Kobe's No. 8 and No. 24. Needless to say, fans across the country are encouraging the rest of the teams in the league to follow suit.
