LOS ANGELES — LeBron James did an about-face on his “I ain’t playing” stance on any games played behind closed doors. But the Nets and Lakers played Tuesday at Staples Center amid rampant coronavirus fears, and the NBA and other leagues considering that very possibility.
“When I was asked the question: Would you play without no fans? I had no idea it was actually a conversation going behind closed doors about the particular virus,” James told reporters Tuesday before the Lakers’ 104-102 loss to the Nets. “Obviously, I’d be very disappointed with not having the fans. That’s who I play for. I play for my family and I play for my fans.
“No one could actually come to the game if it actually got to that point. I’d be disappointed in that. But at the same time, you got to listen to the people that are keeping track of what is going on. If they feel like it is best for the safety of the players, safety of the franchise and the safety of the league to mandate that, then we all listen to that.”
Lakers coach Frank Vogel conceded that the NBA could be playing in empty arenas, which he found incomprehensible just a week or two ago.
“I’ve never done it and never been around it. Do you still get pregame music to go along with that? I’m not sure what all gets cut off,” said Nets interim coach Jacque Vaughn, joking that in arenas that quiet the TV and radio audiences might hear what actually happens on-court.
“Maybe going to add a few more mics, pick it all up. It’s going to be silent if you had no one in there. Squeaks and — I’ll tell my kids to cover their ears, there’ll be a little profanity out there for sure.”