The NBA season will most likely resume on July 31, and the fans are ecstatic about it. However, there is still uncertainty about the role of the staff once the season resumes. It is known that the elderly are at a higher risk to be affected by the virus. The older members of the staff are objecting to the policy and are uncertain about their future with the team. However, the NBCA has guaranteed that the staff members will only be asked to leave after a doctor’s decision.
The NBA careers of coaches will be “severely jeopardized”
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Despite assurances by the league, Gregg Popovich and several other coaches believe that resuming the season in these conditions will hinder their careers. The San Antonio Spurs coach is 71 years old and is therefore at a higher risk due to the virus.
The NBCA recently spoke to ESPN and said: “The health and safety of all NBA coaches is our main concern. However, we are also concerned with a coach’s opportunity to work and to not have their ability to secure future jobs be severely jeopardized. The league assured us that a coach will not be excluded solely because of age.”
ESPN story with @ZachLowe_NBA: NBA Coaches Association fears new league standards and guidelines that could bar team staffers in high-risk categories for coronavirus from Orlando restart could “severely jeopardize” their future employment opportunities. https://t.co/5s7l8qmBcz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 17, 2020
Gregg Popovich has not missed the playoffs in the past 22 seasons. However, this impressive streak is very likely to be snapped this season. The spurs were in the 12th place in the west before the NBA was shut down. The team was 22 games behind the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. The Spurs have struggled ever since trading Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors for DeMar DeRozan. The San Antonio Spurs would have to win against all odds if coach Pop wants to keep the streak alive.