Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Gobert: NBA's anonymous tip hotline is 'petty'

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Wednesday, 15 July 2020 13:13

Utah Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert, the first NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus, in March, won't be relying on the league's anonymous safety tip line to hold others accountable within the Orlando bubble.

"I don't know if someone's gonna use it, but I think it's sort of petty," said Gobert, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. "At the same time, you want to make sure that people respect the rules.

"But I don't think the line will really help at that point. I think it's more about respecting each other and all do it as a small community. Everyone is pretty much educated about the virus at this point, and it's more about respect. At the same time, you want to make sure you socialize and do all those things, but still respecting each other's space and try to wear the mask inside, especially when it's crowded."

As recently as last month, Gobert's sense of smell still wasn't 100% as he experienced ongoing symptoms after his initial March 11 test, which led to the suspension of the NBA season. His teammate Donovan Mitchell tested positive the next day.

Since arriving on July 7, the Jazz have practiced in Orlando from July 9 to 14 before taking Wednesday off. Mitchell has compared the overall setup to previous AAU experiences.

"I think the biggest thing is just being able to mentally stay locked in. That's going to be the toughest part," Mitchell said. "It's gonna be lonely not seeing our friends and family, so being able to stay locked in -- and that just doesn't go for myself.

"... Just staying mentally ready, mentally engaged, because I can't tell you the last time I've had practice at 6 o'clock every night. So, being able to take care of yourself throughout the day, get some rest, be ready to stay locked in, because it gives you that feeling of AAU, summer camp or summertime vibe, and that's not really the same as an NBA season."

The Florida Department of Health on Wednesday reported 10,181 new coronavirus cases along with 112 new deaths. Florida has also surpassed 300,000 total cases, with 4,521 deaths related to COVID-19.

Still, some players aren't relying on the hotline to police others around campus.

"At this point, I think we've all been through enough meetings, each team individually, about the coronavirus and understanding the importance of practicing social distancing and wearing a mask and all those things," Jazz guard Mike Conley said. "So, at this point, we've got to trust each other. We've got to trust the other teams, the other players. We know our guys are gonna do the right thing and kind of just trust the process."

When asked if the hotline could be a problem, Clippers coach Doc Rivers instead made light of it before saying he also understands the reasoning that the hotline is in place.

"I turned in LeBron [James] yesterday. I'm turning in Pop [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] today. I'm trying to turn all these guys in," Rivers joked. "I think it's phenomenal. We are going to be the only team left when I am done with this hotline thing. No, it's funny. I don't think it's a problem at all. I think it's good.

"This is not some normal thing. COVID is obviously ... it's not only that you can get sick, but you can get other people sick, so this is very important for all of us. We want to do our jobs. So I think having a hotline, I guess that is what they are calling it, I guess that is important."

Not everyone has been following the rules inside the bubble, but the NBA is enforcing strict guidelines when players and staffers don't follow directions.

For example, Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes was forced to return to an additional 10-day quarantine in his hotel room Monday after leaving the NBA's bubble to pick up a food delivery. Holmes said in a statement that he "briefly and accidentally" crossed the campus line.

Houston Rockets forward Bruno Caboclo also unintentionally broke quarantine, making him subject to an extended quarantine period and enhanced coronavirus testing, the NBA announced Monday.

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Beasley had to leave the bubble after testing positive for the coronavirus, sources told ESPN's Malika Andrews and Tim Bontemps.

So far, multiple tips have been placed into the anonymous hotline to report protocol violations on campus, with some players receiving warnings after violations, according to The Athletic.

"I'm more so worried about myself and the guys on our team, and I know that we're taking every precaution, following all the protocols," Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo said. "... We're not worried about anything else going on but ourselves and our team, so I don't think I would use [the hotline].

"For me, it's more so about, we trust the NBA, we trust the protocols in place and we trust ourselves. ... I think we're just policing ourselves and kind of focused on ourselves. If we follow it, I think we feel good about everything. It's not about getting into it with other teams."

ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.

Read 293 times

Soccer

J.J. Watt vs. McAfee part of TST soccer tourney

J.J. Watt vs. McAfee part of TST soccer tourney

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBurnley co-owner and NFL legend J.J. Watt's Burnley squad will face...

Tuchel: Madrid-Bayern clash every kid's dream

Tuchel: Madrid-Bayern clash every kid's dream

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThomas Tuchel said his Bayern Munich players must "connect with the...

Maradona's stolen '86 Golden Ball to be auctioned

Maradona's stolen '86 Golden Ball to be auctioned

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDiego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy won for being named the best pl...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Miller on MSG return: 'The Boogeyman is coming'

Miller on MSG return: 'The Boogeyman is coming'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsReggie Miller will be back at Madison Square Garden nearly 29 years...

Haliburton shoots for G2 rebound: 'I'll be better'

Haliburton shoots for G2 rebound: 'I'll be better'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is promising...

Baseball

Braves reliever Matzek to IL with elbow injury

Braves reliever Matzek to IL with elbow injury

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsATLANTA -- The Braves lost another reliever to an injury on Tuesday...

MLB: Don't push kids to drop out to evade draft

MLB: Don't push kids to drop out to evade draft

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMajor League Baseball has sent a warning to clubs about encouraging...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated