NBA Commissioner Adam Silver briefly mentioned in early June that the league might not allow older coaches to coach in their usual capacity upon the league’s July restart near Orlando.
But with the first wave of NBA teams now less than a week away from traveling to Orlando, the league is running short on time if it intends to block anyone from entering Disney’s “bubble” complex.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says adults over 65 years old are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni is now 69. Other coaches in that category among the 22 teams headed to Florida include San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich (71) and Alvin Gentry (65) of New Orleans.
As of late Monday, Gentry says no message had been communicated to him about any restrictions. Via Will Guillory of The Athletic, Gentry said:
No one has told me that I’m not (allowed to coach the team in Orlando). I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to getting back and watching the guys play and enjoying it. Hopefully, we can continue the run that we made before the shutdown. But I plan on coaching without any restrictions. We’ll see if the league comes up with a different plan.
I talked to Alvin Gentry last night about social justice, his plans to coach in Orlando and what to expect once we see Zion Williamson again.
He even snuck a Lonzo Ball album review in there too.
Easily one of my favorite interviews I've done with him. https://t.co/hYdxel4i9w
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) June 30, 2020
D’Antoni has said he wants to coach in Florida, although he plans to take basic precautions, such as wearing a mask. An independent doctor reportedly gave D’Antoni medical clearance in recent weeks.
In its restart protocols, the NBA does have the right to appeal that finding to one or more physicians appointed by the league.
But sports agent Warren LeGarie, who represents D’Antoni and Gentry, has hinted at a potential legal challenge, should the NBA’s physicians attempt to exclude any coach solely due to age. “I hope there is a basketball solution to this issue rather than a legal one,” he told ESPN.
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The NBA Coaches Association recently issued a statement defending the right of coaches to come to their own conclusions. “Adam [Silver] and the NBA have created a situation in Orlando that is likely far safer than in our coaches’ home markets,” the statement reads. “Absent a significant threat, we believe a coach should be able to understand and assume their individual risks, waive liability, and coach in Orlando.”
The statement by the union also said that not working at the restart could “severely jeopardize” the potential of those coaches to secure future employment. D’Antoni’s contract in Houston runs out after this season.
With the calendar turning to July on Wednesday, time is running out if the league wants to try and exclude any older coach from attending.
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