- Darvin Ham says LeBron James is experiencing ‘really significant soreness’ in his left foot
- Report: Lakers have concerns about Russell Westbrook’s ‘playoff viability’
- Al Horford’s sister shares several disgusting threats she has received from fans since Lakers-Celtics game
- Brian Scalabrine says that if his son threw tantrum like LeBron James did vs. Celtics, he wouldn’t play him in overtime
- LeBron James says Lakers loss vs. Celtics was ‘one of the best games we’ve played all year’
- NBA players and media outraged after no-call on LeBron James at end of Lakers-Celtics game
- Al Horford’s brother and sister rip LeBron James after no-call at end of Lakers-Celtics game
- Report: NBA reached out to Lakers immediately after game to inform them that LeBron James was fouled by Jayson Tatum
- James Worthy unleashes angry tirade on refs after no-call on LeBron: ‘That’s one of the worst NBA referee crews I’ve seen’
- Lonnie Walker IV says he’s ‘pretty close’ to returning for Lakers, could play vs. Celtics
Jared Dudley Sends Ecstatic Message After Announcement of NBA Return Date
- Updated: May 29, 2020
Friday’s news that the NBA is targeting July 31 as the date for the league’s return to complete the 2019-20 season brought an enthusiastic response from Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley.
2 months to get ready! Plenty of time! 🙏🏽 https://t.co/vPx7qnn88J
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) May 29, 2020
The league abruptly shut down play on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the novel coronavirus, with the subsequent pandemic keeping all sports on the sidelines for the next few months.
During the course of the shutdown, the NBA continued to look at all angles of a possible return. That included assessing different potential locales to play games, testing protocol to be used for players, officials and other game personnel and the overall state of the pandemic situation.
The Lakers are one of the teams most eager to get back on the court, considering that they had the best record in the Western Conference at 49-14 when play was suspended.
Dudley and his Lakers teammates were on target to get the franchise back into the postseason for the first time in seven years. That accomplishment was something that the team was hoping would be the first step toward winning the Lakers’ first NBA title in a decade.
Exactly what form the NBA return takes is yet unknown, but Dudley and others now have a target date that will motivate them to get back in prime physical condition for the road ahead.