Lightning, league now eye Family Day tip-off
The NBLC has re-adjusted its return-to-play plan (now, Feb. 21) following provincial announcement. Columnist Jason Winders also has notes from around the basketball — and sports — world.
Lightning action during the 2019-2020 season. (Photo: Luke Durda).
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Stop me if you’ve heard this before – but basketball is just around the corner.
The NBL Canada has marked Family Day as its new 2022 season opener, a date that aligns with the Ontario government’s plan to ease COVID-19 public health measures over the next few weeks, NBL Canada officials announced today. That date puts tipoff 32 days away.
Originally scheduled to open on the road against the Sudbury Five on Feb. 5, the Lightning now start the season at the KW Titans on Feb. 21. The Windsor Express will meet The Five in Sudbury as the other opening day matchup. Both games would start at 2 p.m.
The re-adjusted schedule impacts five Lightning games, including three at home. Those games will be rescheduled, as the league plans to maintain its 24-game schedule. The full revised schedule will be released later.
“Omicron set us back a bit, but it now looks like we have a solid path forward and we’re going to run with it,” Lightning GM Mark Frijia said. “We have been following the government restrictions as best we can while we plan for the upcoming season. We’re not going to put the fans, players, or arena staff in jeopardy, but I am very glad we have this kind of foresight now, a solid date we can work with. We can go from here and finally get our season started after two years of dormancy.”
On Thursday, the Ontario government announced its plan to lift current public health measures restricting fans from attending live sporting events. On Feb. 1, limits will increase to 50% of venue capacity or 500 people, whichever number is lower. On Feb. 21, restrictions will move to 50% total venue capacity.
Lightning officials are comfortable with those kinds of limits, especially when considering the team’s league-high fan support and its home games being played in the 9,000-seat Budweiser Gardens. When the 2019-20 season ended, the franchise was tops in the league in terms of total and average attendance, averaging 3,250 fans per game.
It has been 712 days since the league last hit the hardcourt.
“As a league, we’re happy with the government of Ontario’s re-opening plan, as it will clear a way to make a full return to the court and enable us to celebrate our 10th season,” Audley Stephenson, NBL Canada Vice-president of Basketball Operations, said in a statement. “It has been a long road and we’re incredibly appreciative of our fans for their unwavering support as we navigate health measures as a result of the pandemic.”
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AROUND THE PERIMETER
NBL Canada GMs will certainly not pass on the extra time. The change in timing for the league’s season created some stress for teams as they looked to sign players, as the schedule now conflicts with others around the world. The extra few weeks will give players a chance to finish up leagues or be able to transition easier to the NLB Canada.
“These extra few weeks have opened up the pool for us. Players we had to initially pass on may now be in play,” Frijia said.
The Lightning roster continues to take shape with five players under contract: forwards Mareik Isom, Jordan Jensen-Whyte, and Scott Plaisance, and guards Jaylon Tate and Marlon Taylor.
BEYOND MY BYLINE
Thank you to Global News journalist Matthew Trevithick who reminded us that 10 years ago this month Jim Chapman and the Incontinentals brought us the musical equivalent of the downtown train, City of Opportunity. … On the plus side, it did spawn this metal classic from Baptized In Blood. … Separated from his family, Dan Barry launched jump shots in the driveway and wondered: Will we ever properly mourn the ones we’ve lost? Will we ever smile again? The answers were hit or miss. What a touching essay. … These mass shooting survivors were called journalism heroes. Then the buyouts came. Brilliant, depressing read for anyone who loves journalism. … In 1977, Lusia Harris made history when she was selected by the New Orleans Jazz with the 137th pick in the 1977 NBA Draft. As the San Francisco Warriors’ selection of Denise Long in 1969 was voided, Harris became the first and only woman officially drafted by the NBA. She eventually declined to try out for the Jazz as she was pregnant at the time. Amazing person. Amazing story. … Andrew Wiggins was never supposed to be a role player. It’s a damning indictment either of him or those who made him one of the most hyped players in modern NBA history. The 2014 No. 1 pick was supposed to be a superstar, an MVP, a cornerstone. But the Warriors didn't need that. They needed the kind of player Andrew Wiggins had always wanted to be.
There are some familiar faces, but there’s a sense of renewal in London as the Lightning embark on a new season. With a new coach and several new players, is a new era upon us? What to expect in 2024-25 …