All sports fans know that following the actual games is only one part of the overall fan experience. One of the most underrated parts of being a fan is watching interviews of your favorite players – after practices, before games, during games, after games… During the COVID-19 pandemic, players and members of the media are being forced to make adjustments to the way interviews are conducted. Instead of having a player at a podium or in front of his locker surrounded by reporters, players are placed on a screen and doing the interview completely virtual.
Considering that pretty much every event, meeting, or appointment that can be conducted virtually is now being done that way, rather than in person, it should come as no surprise that this is the new normal. Still, as Paul Millsap pointed out this week, that does not change the fact that it’s a very unique way to do an interview.
As the season progresses, I’m sure we will all notice more and more unique aspects to sports during this time. From virtual fans, to a spread out bench, to broadcasters calling games from remote locations, it’s all just par for the course now. And while it is certainly not the same NBA that went on hiatus over four months ago, I think it’s pretty safe to say that nobody is complaining. It’s just good to have the NBA back.
