After a historic play-off and a season like no other, Adam Silver has finally given us a date. And it is that of December 22, when the players put on their jerseys. This new NBA season is the subject of many changes that we will discuss together.
The 2020/2021 NBA Preseason
The NBA preseason is important. It is during this one that takes place in particular the draft, but also the training camps. Speaking of "these camps", it is important to remember that players will have to be back in their cities and franchises before November 30. Individual training is expected to take place from 1 to 5 December, with a limited number of staff members.The collective training will take place between 4 and 6 December (it all depends on the arrivals following the PCR tests). https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1328795384890728448 The conduct of the draft has not changed, apart from the fact that, due to the health context, it was held online on November 18, 2020. We will now be entitled to one of the most hectic and anticipated periods of the year, the opening of free agent signings. Free agents are players who have not extended with their teams and want to check if the grass is greener elsewhere. Big names are among the list of free agents this summer like Andre Drummond or Brandon Ingram. We see that the NBA's preseason does not change radically. The order of events has been little disrupted. We discern a real will on the part of Adam Silver and his associates, who wanted not to change everything within the most prestigious championship on the planet Basketball.
A new NBA season like no other
A first big change will take place for this new regular season. There will be 72 games and not 82!The pace should not change a priori. This would allow internationals to be able to prepare in good conditions for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games!Since the regular season starts later, so will the 2021 All Star Game.Indeed, this event should be postponed in March 2021. Asfor the venue, this should "move" and the All Star Game may not be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. 
Regarding the reception of fans, opinions differ and nothing has yet been fixed. In addition, venues should have the right to accommodate a limited number of supporters.At least, until the health situation improves. It should be noted that the travel of teams will be greatly restudied in order to avoid the comings and goings of players and teams.The teams' road trips should be longer in order to restrict the movement of players and their staff.It is also for this purpose that teams could play several times in a row against the same opponent.
The end-of-season format?
Last season's play-in-tournament was one of the big satisfactions of the Orlando bubble.The model that has been put in place is also expected to be applied this year.The "Play-in" qualifying tournament will take place in May 2021 for teams from 7th to 10th place in each conference.As you might have guessed, even if the 7th team in the standings may have a big margin of victory over the 10th, the latter will still have to fight for the privilege of reaching the Play-Offs. This model really seduced the commissioner Adam Silver, who decided to repeat the experience. The first 6 teams of each conference will be automatically qualified for the postseason, the last two qualified will be the winners of the "play-in-tournament".Unfair or not?We'll let you be the judge.As for the play-offs that will resume at the end of May, probably around the 21st, the format will not change.16 teams, 4 rounds, a lot of players, but only one trophy. 
Adam Silver and the players' union all seem to be moving in the same direction for the 2020/2021 season. Everyone seems to have the same goals, the first of which is to protect the health of players and their families.We will once again witness a season like no other, but one that is likely to be just as exciting. Everything is not yet definitive and some changes should still see the light of day depending on the current situation. It is also important to highlight the mastery of the NBA during the bubble where there were no cases of Coronavirus.In addition, it demonstrates all the professionalism shown by the main actors to ensure the continuity of this sport, and at the same time of its history.
