The 2021 basketball season has officially begun, with less restrictions than last year. 

When Covid-19 began, the NBA said that players could not see their family in real life and if they did want to, they would have to video chat online. All of the NBA players stayed at the same hotel and were not allowed to have any other visitors than other players. 

Due to Covid, the NBA did experience some financial loss. With their total revenue dropping 40 percent, they lost in total around 4 billion dollars in merchandise and tickets.

The first NBA player to get Covid-19 was Rudy Gobert, resulting in the NBA ending the season early because they did not want other players to get Covid-19. 

In this current NBA season players on the bench have to wear a mask, but when they are taken off the bench they are allowed to remove the mask. When the NBA finally let players play again, people were not allowed to watch from the stands, opting for people to just watch on TV.

During the current season, the NBA is allowing visitors into the stands to watch games, but only on every other seat, so nobody has anyone seated next to them. People watching from the stands are required to wear a mask at all times to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.

NBA players are not required to be vaccinated, but they have to be tested for Covid-19 constantly. This ensures that the NBA does not have to shut down again.

Basketball is a game played between two teams of five. Played on a rectangular court, basketball is usually played indoors. To win points, you must toss the ball through the other team’s goal, which is a horizontal hoop and net called a basket. A basketball game consists of four quarters in which you get two minutes in between, other than after the second quarter, in which the players are given a halftime break. 

The first basketball game of the season was the Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks, in which the Bucks won 104- 127. On the same day, the Golden State Warriors played against the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 121-114. 

Some people like basketball because of the fast pace and the beating adrenaline, others simply enjoy watching.

 “It’s a lot of energy and fast paced, I like when things are fast paced,” said Max Brown. 

NBA games are just that. With most games lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, players have to move fast and think even faster. 

“Yeah it’s fun,” Max said. “I’m excited to see how the Wizards and Lakers do.” 

 In the NBA, players get paid millions of dollars for their salary for playing for that team. That’s why they can have basketball as a full time job.

If players are injured or break a bone and can’t play, they are still paid their salary. If the players don’t return within 41 days, then 80% of their salary for each additional game they miss, their salary goes to the rest of the team.

Even if players sit on the bench the whole game and don’t play, they’re still paid a salary. Before players join a team, they have to sign a contract, and that contract determines how much money you would get and how many years they would have to stay on that team.