Earlier this week, the NBA imposed stricter health and safety protocols amid a spike in COVID-19 cases around the league. A couple of those new protocols limit player interactions pre- and post-game, which doesn’t make sense to Oklahoma City Thunder guard George Hill.
Hill, an NBA veteran, did make a few solid points in his argument about the new protocols:
“We wanna play the game … but I don’t understand some of the rules,” Hill said following Tuesday’s 112-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN’s Royce Young. “We can sweat 48 minutes with a guy next to us for 48 minutes, but we can’t talk to them afterward. It makes no sense.”
Several players have already been ruled out this season due to close contact with another player who tested positive for COVID-19. For example, Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal is sidelined after spending post-game time with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who tested positive for the coronavirus, after their meeting on Jan. 8.
The NBA’s new protocols also require players and staff members to stay home for the next two weeks unless they’re leaving the house for team activities or essential matters. If the team is on the road, they’re required to stay at the hotel.
“I’m a grown man. I’m gonna do what I want to do. If I want to go see my family, I’m going to go see my family,” Hill said. “They can’t tell me I have to stay in a room 24/7. If it’s that serious, then maybe we shouldn’t be playing. But it’s life; no one’s going to be able to just cancel their whole life for this game.”
The NBA has already had to postpone six games this season, including two on Wednesday. Despite the postponements and rise in cases, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this week that he would not pause the season.
If the situation continues to get worse, the season could be halted. For now, Silver is hoping the new protocols work to stop the spread of COVID-19.
