Video: Chris Paul, Players Will Have a Say on When the NBA Resumes

Chris Paul Spoke to the Oklahoma City media today and left no doubt the players will have a say in how this season finishes.

Chirs Paul met with the Oklahoma City media today via teleconference. While there is still uncertainty surrounding the NBA season, one thing was clear players would have a say on when and how basketball returns. 

🎤 Chris Paul meets via conference call with OKC media.

“What we are all figuring out is that this is uncharted territory for all of us. This is the new normal for the time being. You have to figure out how to adapt and be better.” pic.twitter.com/OcQdB4hV7J

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 22, 2020

Paul says, "We're the ones that's playing, and that comes first." ..."We don't ever put guys in a situation where the injury risk is higher than before."

Paul also says that players (and teams) will have to figure out how to adapt to the new normal and find ways to be better. The NBA is discussing multiple options for scheduling, one of those is forgoing the rest of the regular season and jumping right to the playoffs.  

Paul would not throw out hypothetical scenarios.  "We just want to play." ..."We're trying to figure out what that looks like."..."I don't know what's going to happen; I think right now, I'm just more focused on playing." 

More from @CP3, the point guard staying connected with his teammates.

“We’ve had a couple of Zoom calls where we can connect and see each other. The biggest thing as we talk as a team is the mental aspect of it. Everyone is just itching to play.”

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 22, 2020

Paul adds that he has not shot in a gym since going the layup line the night the Thunder were supposed to host the Jazz. If you're hoping the league could operate from a central location, that is seeming more like a long shot. 

"There are so many layers that would have to come into play for that to even happen."..."That's  great that people are brainstorming, and that's nice that everybody wants us to get back to play, but I think the safety of the players, the families, the fans, everyone, all that comes before any of it."  

COVID-19 continues to be a moving target, but as states like Oklahoma start open back up, maybe the NBA can do so as well.