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As the worldwide coronavirus sweeps up populations and infects individuals, the spread of the disease in North America has caused concern about daily life and operations in the NBA, with media access to players already limited to prevent contact between reporters, players, and coaches. San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacted to news of the NBA's guidelines as coronavirus impacts the league.
Per the San Antonio Express-News' Tom Orsborn on Twitter:
“It doesn’t matter what I think. Whatever Adam (Silver) does is fine with me. I don’t think about it.
“I think everybody is being as responsible and cautious as they can possibly be under the circumstances. I don’t think anybody is taking it lightly.”
Pop said he has been contact with Ettore Messina about the coronavirus lockdown in Italy. "It’s tough stuff. They are very concerned. Obviously with the measures they have taken, people are concerned. We are not at that stage yet. But who knows, we could get there." #Spurs
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) March 10, 2020
The NBA has apparently sent directives down for teams to follow, including consulting with medical professionals and taking precautions to prevent the spread of germs and potentially the coronavirus between a party and someone who may not know they are carrying the virus.
Popovich, a five-time NBA champion coach, is used to whipping his team into shape on the hardwood, but the coronavirus has presented the Spurs leader a very different challenge.
Popovich also cited former Spurs assistant and current Olimpia Milano coach Ettore Messina's experience in Italy at the moment, as the European nation has locked down cities and told residents to stay inside to prevent the proliferation of the coronavirus.
Even soccer teams have had to play in empty arenas without fans—something that could very well happen in the NBA, too, in the foreseeable future.
