It looks like Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra doesn't have a problem with the NBA's guest policy. Not long after Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone blasted the NBA's policy for not allowing coach's family members inside the Orlando bubble, Spoelstra is defending the NBA for the league's guest policy.
According to the Heat coach, while Spoelstra does miss his family, he understands the risk of bringing more people into the secluded space. He also makes sure to mention that the league hasn't completely ruled out the idea of having family members in the bubble, drawing a distinction which was different from Michael Malone.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has made it clear how much he misses his family during his time in the NBA bubble. Players and referees are allowed to bring guests into the bubble, but coaches can not. https://t.co/Hl08zu0Dx2
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) September 4, 2020
Spoelstra said league has not totally shot down coaches' family or guests possibly being allowed in NBA Disney bubble. Said appreciates COVID-19 concerns "The more you add to it, then you also are increasing the risk of something happening." Adds, "There is a human side to it."
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 4, 2020
Both Spoelstra and Michael Malone are coaching teams that are currently playing in the semifinals. In other words, they've now been in the bubble for about 60 days — or two months.
The Nuggets' head coach called the policy “criminal in nature,” via Mike Singer of The Denver Post:
“Today is Day 60,” Michael Malone said. “So we have been here, the guys that came down here on July 7 – and there weren’t many of us because we were ravaged with COVID. For the original crew, this is day number 60. And the reason I bring that up is because the players have their families here, which they deserve, which is the right thing to do. The referees are allowed to bring one guest, which is great for the referees. The coaches, the coaches are not allowed to bring anybody. I say, shame on you, NBA. This is crazy.”
“I miss my family, and I think I speak for me, I speak for my coaches and probably all the coaches down here,” he continued. “Sixty days and not having access and not being granted the privilege to have my family come here, to me, is criminal in nature. And that shouldn’t be. That shouldn’t be at all. So, I wanted to get that off my chest.”
Michael Malone might know that the United States — much like the rest of the world — has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has killed nearly 200,000 Americans.
While Michael Malone certainly has an argument for it being unfair that coaches aren't allowed to have family members inside the bubble — while players do — the NBA has done a good job of preventing any spread of the virus in the Orlando bubble.
Hopefully if the NBA plays next season in the bubble, they can take the proper measures to allow coaches' family members inside the bubble.
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