Now back with his teammates at the NBA’s Florida “bubble” complex, Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook spoke with the media Wednesday just before his initial return to the practice court.
For Westbrook, it was his first media availability following the league’s shutdown in March due to COVID-19 and since learning of his own positive test for the coronavirus earlier this month.
Westbrook told reporters that he was mostly asymptomatic.
“I didn’t,” Westbrook said when asked if he had symptoms. “I was just at home. The only thing I had was a stuffy nose, but that was it.”
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Now 31 years old, the nine-time NBA All-Star and 2017 MVP then used his platform to make a statement about wearing masks as a means of preventing further spread of the coronavirus. Westbrook said:
Wearing a mask… can be the difference between life and death, honestly. People are dying from this virus each and every day, and it’s something we need to take very seriously.
Westbrook said he was away from the basketball court during his time with COVID-19, in line with the NBA’s protocols for at least 14 days of self-quarantine. He also had to test negative for the virus multiple times, including on the two days after his Monday arrival at the bubble.
“I’ve been at home, trying to be productive,” Westbrook said Wednesday. “I obviously wasn’t able to get on the basketball floor, but I was trying to stay active and do as much conditioning as I could.”
Russell Westbrook on how long it’ll take for him to get to where he wants to be in terms of playing shape, says “I’ll take one day at a time. Just be thankful and blessed to be able to go back on the floor and compete ..When I’m back 100% you will know.” pic.twitter.com/bjkY1rN9T8
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 22, 2020
As such, Westbrook said he did not yet know whether he would play in Friday’s opening scrimmage for the Rockets versus Toronto. Houston’s 2019-20 regular season resumes a week later.
“I don’t have a feel for whether I can make a layup at this point,” Westbrook said with a laugh, referring to his time away from the court. “I’ve got to start there, and then I’ll work my way from there.”
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A 2020 All-Star, Westbrook is averaging 27.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game in a brilliant debut season in Houston. His 47.4% shooting clip is the best of his 12-year NBA career, and his scoring and efficiency metrics have progressively improved throughout the year.
Though his bout with COVID-19 and the associated quarantine might cause some initial rust, Westbrook doesn’t think it will limit him for long.
“Before I had to quarantine, I was in pretty good shape, so I should be alright,” Westbrook said Wednesday regarding his current playing condition. “When I’m back at 100 percent, you’ll know.”
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