You know, I keep telling people wasn't the test that kept people safe in the bubble because we're testing daily now just what we did in the bubble.

What kept everyone safe for the quarantines that were required before he went into the bubbles into the bubble.

And then all of the requirements, once you were there playing outside of a bubble this, you know, presents a host of different issues.

Then we're gonna unfortunately just gonna have to learn as we go here.

I can't even imagine how many times your phone rang yesterday.

Do you have account there for us?

I mean, it must have been pretty crazy leading up to that moment of saying Okay, let's postpone e only, say no count.

But in addition, obviously, I have a fantastic group of colleagues who were working through these issues with me, you know, in many cases, around literally around the clock, because of when test results are coming in because follow up on situations dealing with team personnel there.

Doctors are doctors, and so again, you know, I think it was for all of us a wake up call.

Not that we didn't know it, but especially until we're at a point where there's no vaccinations available to people in our community, and that's probably a ways off.

Every day is going to be presenting new issues.

I want to switch gears a little bit because you were asked earlier this week about the possibility of expansion, and for the first time in years, you didn't shut the door on it.

Adam, you know the glee you caused in Seattle with those comments, I will ask you, How likely would you say expansion is in the near future?

Well, I you know, what I said honestly was not all that different than what I've said in the past.

What I said is, it's inevitable that will expand at some point.

And when asked about Seattle specifically, you know Rachel, I, of course, was in the league when the Sonics were in town.

Well, she you know, we didn't make a secret of the fact that we hated to leave Seattle, But at the time we left, um, it was clear that key arena, the then Kareena was not at NBA specifications, and there were no plans on the table to build a new arena in Seattle.

That was whenever, 12 years ago or so.

Now we're at the point where there is a new arena.

In essence, you know, a rebuilt key arena that's come online NHL team going into Seattle, So one you now have.

The state of the art arena didn't exist back then.

And I say in terms of expansion, it's been a long time since the league expanded it.

Zits, not on the front burner.

I mean, we're not about to expand at this moment, as you could imagine, just to your earlier they're occupying us around the clock.

Expansion is not on the top of the list, but it will will turn back to it at some point.

And I've said, you know, we loved when we were in Seattle.

We've had incredible fans.

They're incredible, I think 40 year history of having a team in that market, and there's no doubt there's enormous support there.

So at the right time, you know, I think the the team owners will turn back to that issue.

So you've got to help me out here.

If I'm going to place a bet in Vegas on whether there's gonna be an expansion team in the next five years of the MBA.

How good should I feel about that?

Bet I can't even believe you're talking about waiting on this show.

Rachel.

Never.

Never.

Not in this establishment.

Alright.

The All Star Game gained a lot of momentum last season in Chicago due to some of the great rule changes.

Right, that l amending was so fun playing a game this year seems extremely complicated.

Given all the covert protocols, you've officially given up the hotel rooms and arena reservations in Indianapolis.

So what is the plan for All Star this year?

There is no plan at the moment, I mean again because we knew coming into the season, we're gonna be learning, as you know, because we knew there might be some disruptions in the season.

We split the schedule in two halves, which is something we've never done in our history before.

So we have a schedule through early March when the natural break would come in our season, not the All Star break that had previously been planned earlier in February.

So, as you said, way gave up those hotels and those dates in Indianapolis.

So now we still have an opening, potentially to play a game.

We're absolutely still love to play that game.

I know the players would as well.

Our plan is to still go forward and select All Stars.

I think that's very important, and we'll see again.

One thing I've learned throughout this pandemic is it's virtually impossible to predict even a month ahead.

You know, As you know, before we went into Orlando for the bubble, we had the lowest case right in Florida.

Then we had one of the highest when we got there.

Now we're dealing with what seems like a new surge in cases and that, you know, and that was not something we obviously knew with point.

We plan to restart this week, and I think, you know, fingers crossed on the vaccine that is at the vaccine gets rolled out and we start to see, you know, societal adoption of the vaccine and the ability to bring more fans in the buildings was only at the point that it's appropriate for players and coaching staff to get vaccinated.

That will happen as well, and so it may open up possibilities by March that I can't even contemplate right now, so we're gonna turn back to that.

But right now we're just holding the dates.

So, Adam, earlier this week, you said it was your expectation that players would stand for the national anthem.

What has changed since the bubble in that regard and and how will the league react if a player still does choose to kneel?

What's changed since the bubble, Of course.

In Orlando, in a unified fashion, players coaches, referees chose to take a knee for the national anthem.

And throughout the preseason we had we had one game in which players kneel during the preseason.

So far, in the regular season, all the players have stood, and it's my expectation that players we'll stand for the national anthem.

I mean, it is.

It's been part of the tradition of this league since the early 19 eighties.

I recognize that they're appropriate times for protests, which is why the league, in essence, stood down.

Um, this summer.

On the other hand, you know, I number one, it's it's awkward to be put in a position to force people to stand for the national anthem.

Obviously, that's that's, ah, failure to start with.

If that's ultimately where we are, but number two, I'd say I think it's an important tradition is part of this country.

We've come through a very difficult period where the country feels very divided.

Obviously, those tensions haven't gone away.

So there's very few things that collective moments where we all can feel work unified.

And I think the national anthem is one of those moments.

So it's my hope that people will, our players will continue to choose and that this tradition will remain part of the league.

But But again, you know, this is something that we've discussed with the players association.

It's part of our.

It's become part of our collective bargaining agreement right now.

And so if there were ever gonna be changes, it would something be something we need to discuss together.

But at least for me, you know, especially as we go into these holidays, I would say I will say that it moves me to see people standing in unison for the anthem.

There's these very few moments in our lives when people can come together, and I hope that that that our national anthem will continue to be one of those moments.