With the implementation of stricter safety and health guidelines by the NBA amid a rupture of positive coronavirus testing and close contacts, George Hill, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard, questioned some of the logic behind it. was behind the protocols after the 112-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on 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 by our side for 48 minutes, but then we can’t talk to them. It doesn’t make sense.”
Within the improved rules, interactions before and after the game with opposing players are limited to elbow or fist punches, so “extended socialization” should be avoided. Which means no postgame will be updated with a former classmate or friend, previously a standard practice after games.
Also in the new guidelines: the hotel rooms are already closed for guests who are not equipment on the road. Along with this, the movement of players and staff is limited on the road, as both are now prohibited from leaving the hotel for activities that are not part of the team. Previously, players were allowed two guests to their rooms, including family and longtime personal friends.
“I’m an old man. I’ll do what I want to do. If I want to go see my family, I’ll go see my family,” Hill said. “They can’t tell me I have to stay in a room 24 hours a day. If it’s that serious, maybe we shouldn’t play. But it’s life; no one will be able to cancel their whole life for that game.”
The NBA postponed four games this week due to COVID-19 problems, including three involving the Boston Celtics. Along 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 the presentation of the eight players needed due to positive testing and contact tracking.
Now players are also required to wear a mask at all times when they are not playing. There is a brief period of “cooling” in an area designated for when they have just left the game, but masks are needed on the bench and in the locker room.
“It’s what’s needed, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of this COVID thing,” said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the throne guardian. “If it means I have to wear a mask on the bench all the time, that’s what it is and I will. I want to get back to normal life, and whatever it takes to get back, I’m going to do it.”