Following the conclusion of the first NBA season after the devastating strike of the coronavirus, student fans in the Annandale community are already excited for the league’s return early next year.

The hope for next season is that security measures are executed well so that games can continue throughout the course of an entire season.

Specifically, the mandates that worked well and will be used again next season is the same bubble format.

The bubble consisted of 22 teams in a closed resort at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Only players, referees and staff were allowed to enter the bubble in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

“I was upset at fi rst because basketball in general is one of the biggest sources of entertainment in America, but I knew it would come back in some form eventually,” sophomore Miles Lanham said.

Despite drawing criticism and disappointment, it seemed that the decision to bring back games for the 2020-21 was a great one overall.

Specifically, commissioner Adam Silver did a fantastic job easing the NBA back into action as there have been no additional confi rmed coronavirus cases after the implementation of the bubble.

The regulations inside the bubble were very strict. It was mandatory for players to stay in their designated hotels for the majority of the time, with food being delivered to their doors.

Guests were not allowed access inside the bubble until the second round of the playoffs and players underwent tests on a daily basis. These rules are what likely caused there to be zero cases during the entire bubble season.

These strict mandates will roll into the commencement of the next season, with restrictions easing in the future as the coronavirus’s impact dies down.

Overall, it can be said with assurance that the absence of televised sports over the quarantine period had a vast impact on the emotions of all fans across the world, thus leading to more excitement for the NBA’s return, especially for a full season next year.

This especially includes Annandale students and athletes, many of which have been very dedicated to playing and watching sports for many years. In addition, many experts predict the league will be much more competitive and entertaining this upcoming season.

Before last season, many star players were plagued with injuries, including Golden State Warriors players Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson along with Brooklyn Nets players Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

The Warriors and the Nets both have potential to be amongst the leading competitors for the NBA championship if all players on their teams remain healthy.

Hopefully, there will be a larger number of high caliber teams with star players in action in 2021 for a more interesting second season in the bubble.

Other than players who have already cemented themselves as star players in the NBA, there are many young prospects who will be drafted into the league this season, which will add even more talent and excitement to the already fascinating league.

“I’m excited to see the new players like Lamelo Ball and Anthony Edwards,” sophomore basketball player Jacob Summersgill said. “I am also excited about John Wall, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant coming back from injuries. It will make the season more interesting.”