With the NBA implementing stricter health and safety guidelines, amid positive coronavirus testing and close contacts, Oklahoma City Thunder goalie George Hill has questioned some of the logic behind the protocols behind 112-102 loss to a San Antonio Spurs home Tuesday night.
“We want to play the game … but I don’t understand some of the rules,” Hill said. “We can sweat 48 minutes with a guy next to us for 48 minutes, but we can’t talk to them after that. It doesn’t make sense.”
Under the improved rules, pre-game and post-game interactions with opposing players are limited to elbow or punch only, with “extended socialization” to be avoided. Which means no postgame catches up with a former teammate or friend, previously a standard post-game practice.
Also in the new guidelines: The hotel rooms are now closed for guests who are not part of the team on the road. Along with this, the movement of players and staff is limited along the way, both of whom are now banned from leaving the hotel for activities that are not part of the team. Previously, players were allowed two guests in their rooms, including family and long-term personal friends.
“I’m a mature man. I’m going to do what I want to do. If I want to go see my family, I’m going to go see my family,” Hill said. “I can’t tell myself that I have to stay in a room 24/7. If it’s so bad, then maybe we shouldn’t play. But it’s life; no one will be able to cancel their whole life for it. game.”
The NBA postponed four games this week due to COVID-19 issues, including three involving the Boston Celtics. Together with the Celtics, the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Dallas Mavericks, the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls are dealing with significant issues in sending the eight players needed because of positive tests and contact tracking.
Also, players must now wear a mask at all times when they are not playing. There is a short period of “cooling” in an area designated for the moment when they have just left the game, but masks are needed on the bench and in the locker room.
“It’s what is needed and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of this COVID,” said Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “If it means I have to wear a mask on the bench all the time, that’s what it is and I will do it. I want to get back to normal life and whatever it takes to get back, I’m going to do it.”