The NBA will officially return to action on July 31 after a board of governors approved a 22-team format to restart the 2019-2020 season.
We'll find out in the coming weeks what the playoff seeding will look like and the stipulations higher-ranking teams want. There have been weird rumors of teams wanting to pick hotels and start times of games.
Sekou Smith of NBA.com said picking hotels or times of games won't give teams any kind of advantage.
"All these guys--even the international players--they've all played travel ball, tournament ball before in their lives," Smith said. "None of that stuff's going to matter when you get down there and you're playing four or five games a day."
"The best teams with the best players who can sustain their energy and can manage the environment are going to be the teams that win."
What about home court advantage? Smith said the neutral site will make for an even more competitive atmosphere.
"I love that aspect of it. It's going to be a much more cut-throat environment. There will be no home court advantage in terms of some team having to tredge across the country...you're going to be able to lock in and show up to the gym with your sneakers."
