NBA Takes…with Teresa – A serious look at Covid-19 in the league

This week NBA Takes means business with a serious look at how Covid-19 is affecting the league.

On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the United States has over 22.8M coronavirus cases with over 385,000 deaths. This week I want to talk about what the NBA is doing to keep their players safe and their season intact and will it save the season.

The league’s previous protocol was lax when it came away games. For example, at the beginning of the season, they allowed visitors to player’s hotel rooms, whether it was family or long-term relationships.

How do you make the NBA pay attention to something? Hit them in the wallet. More games are postponed as an increasing number of players go into quarantine for either infections or contact tracing. No games and missing superstars dent the ratings which in turn hurts the product.

Postponed games

From the season’s start in December to mid-January, the NBA had to postpone the following games:

• Dec 23: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
• Jan 10: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtic
• Jan 11: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Chicago Bulls
• Jan 13: Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics
• Jan 13: Utah Jazz vs. Washington Wizards
• Jan 13: Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns
• Jan 15: Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons
• Jan 15: Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns

There could have been more. Philly only had seven players for their January 9 game against Denver. They had to dress injured Mike Scott to reach the minimum eight and not forfeit., even though he couldn’t play.

As a result, the league tightened up its protocols.

Next: Page 2 – Changing the rules

New NBA Covid-19 Protocol

• At home: For at least the next two weeks, players must remain home at all times unless to go to a team function at a team facility, exercise outside, or an extraordinary circumstance. Interactions only with household members, family, and regular household staff. On the road, players cannot leave their hotel (except for team activities or emergencies) and no interactions with non-team members.
• Meetings: For at least the next two weeks, team meetings in the locker room are limited to ten minutes, and everyone attending must wear a mask. All other meetings must be on the court. Meeting attendees must wear a mask at all times.
• On the road: Teams must make sure that players closest to one another on the bench area also on the plane. All player treatments (massages, physical therapy) must be in a ballroom or open space to at least twelve feet between stations. Face masks/shields are required at all times.
• Game Day: Players must limit interaction to elbow and fist bumps, no hanging out, and always maintain six feet distancing as often as possible.
• Facemasks must always be worn on the bench. When a player leaves the court, he must sit in the “cool down” area until he can return to the bench, where he must once again wear a mask. Masks must be worn at all times in the locker room, and coaches and team staff must always wear masks.
• Testing: Any regular visitor to a player’s or team staff members’ home must be tested for Covid-19 twice a week.
  

Next: Page 3 – It’s all about me

Aren’t they special?

Before starting the season, the Portland Trail Blazers had to push back their training camp due to one player and one non-athlete contracting the virus. In my opinion, they have yet to get over it. How do you go home to your family, not knowing whether or not your teammate or trainer passed the virus onto you?

Then some feel they’re special. James Harden can go to parties and hang out with rappers. He didn’t miss games because of it. Maybe that’s why Commissioner Silver only fined him $50,000. Really? James Harden‘s 2020-21 salary is $41,254,920. That $50,000 will put a pretty big dent in it.

As a reward for this disrespect, Harden got the trade he wanted. Harden, John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins had to be quarantined and the Rockets season opener postponed. He hangs out partying with no mask, yet he gets to go to Brooklyn with D’Antoni and KD and Kyrie and possibly get a championship. Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, and Taurean Prince have to leave New York after all their hard work because he wanted to be traded.

Next is Kyrie Irving. Mr. “I don’t want to play maybe because of social injustice or maybe because I want to throw my sister a birthday party.” Pictures are circulating of him dancing and carrying on. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets, who some believed would be going to the Finals this season, traded for James Harden hoping to make that come true.

Both players are mighty special, alright. They’ve disrespected their team, coaches, their fans, and themselves. Probably going to get a ring together.

Second-time infections

Since December 30, 2020, 16 players tested positive for the coronavirus. Multiple players have tested positive for a second time. The CDC can’t state for sure that can be re-infections are possible. However, Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant and Miami’s Bam Adebayo are on quarantine for the second time.

The league has no intention of stopping play at this time. Do you agree?

Do you think All-Stars should be rewarded with a trade to a Big Three team? Even after they put others in jeopardy with their disregard of the league’s Covid-19 protocol? Let me know by leaving a comment below. Please be safe out there. See you next week!

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