NBA is reportedly now allowing players to travel out of the market amid Coronavirus suspension. Players would be able to travel out with consultation from their respective teams. This news has been confirmed by The Athletics’ Sam Charania.
The NBA has informed its 30 teams that, effective Monday, players are able to travel out of market with consultation from their respective teams, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 16, 2020
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This decision has come just days after when the NBA decided that players must remain in the market of their team. It looks like, the NBA has backtracked on its own decision and it is certainly for the good of players.
If you are having a hard time understanding this decision. Then take it like this – that now players can leave the cities of the teams they play for now and can travel to their home town or anywhere else. But before travelling they have to tell the organization about it first and must have done ‘self-quarantine’. For Example, Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry can leave Canada and go back to the USA for these 30 days (until the league is suspended).
The announcement also includes that player who travels outside of the team’s home market must additionally keep the team updated on his whereabouts.
NBA extends ban on team practices
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the league has extended its ban on team practices. Though players will still be able to work out at team facilities individually. Bontemps also reports that the league has to recommend temperature checks on everyone entering team facilities.
The NBA has extended its ban on team practices indefinitely, league sources tell ESPN. Players are still able to work out individually at team facilities.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) March 16, 2020
As reported by Shams Charania earlier, the NBA has given some measures for team already which includes ‘one on one’ practice and no group workouts.
The NBA has informed all 30 teams on policies effective immediately and through March 16, including:
– All players must remain in market of team
– Players remain home as long as possible
– NO group workouts, practices
– Team physicians/trainers speak to each player once a day— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 12, 2020
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Further, Marc Stein also confirmed the “one player, one basket, one coach” rule. Trainers and doctors are also asked to check in health of players at least one time in a day.
The NBA, league sources say, has also asked team doctors and athletic trainers to check in at least once a day with players on their health status and use a "one player, one coach, one basket" rule if multiple players are working out at the same time in team practice facilities
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 12, 2020
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Lately, the NBA has been on full vigilant mode because of the Coronavirus outbreak. First the league suspension and then rules regarding players’ workout. In the end, we should understand how this is in favor of fans, players and sport in itself. Because as they say ‘Precautions is better than cure”.
