‘Hoping it’s any day’
Ainge waiting on state to OK opening of practice facility
The NBA is still maybe two weeks away from beginning in earnest the process that will lead to the resumption of its season, and it could be nearly two months before there are games.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are looking to be cleared for baby steps. The club is anticipating word from the state in the next day or two that will allow it to reopen its practice facility under highly structured conditions. Heavy precaution will be taken to prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into the secure environment.
The Celts have been in contact with Massachusetts officials, who earlier this week posted guidelines for a phased reopening of businesses and other activities in the commonwealth. Professional basketball workouts were not cleared directly in the first phase, but with the NBA allowing controlled individual sessions for its teams in states where such activity can take place, the Celtics are working to satisfy public health concerns and open the doors to their personnel — again, under distancing and other prescribed measures.
“I think that we’re just hoping,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told the Herald Thursday. “I mean, we’re hoping it’s any day. We’re just waiting to hear. But everybody’s got their own things they’re doing, so it’ll happen soon enough.”
While the club clearly recognizes that the state’s attention is being paid to clearing hurdles that will allow a larger number of people to get back to work safely, it’s hoping its request with few moving parts to its process can be given the OK by officials.
“It’s just not that complicated,” said Ainge. “What we’re trying to do is have one-on-zero workouts. Like, it’s probably the cleanest environment that anybody’s working at in the country, with the sanitization that has to go on and the coaches wearing masks and gloves. I mean, heck, it doesn’t seem that complicated.
“But I understand that people in leadership have very difficult jobs right now.”
In the larger sense for the league, Ainge stopped short of expressing optimism amid reports the NBA will set forth guidelines on June 1 that will allow teams to increase the scope of their workouts and bring back players who’ve left the club’s home area.
“I really don’t know. I’m hopeful,” Ainge said. “I remain hopeful; I’ve been hopeful. But I wouldn’t say that I have more confidence. I’m hoping for it.
“I’m confident in Gov. (Charlie) Baker. I’m confident in (NBA commissioner) Adam Silver. It’ll work out. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
In the meantime, the Celtics are trying to keep their players as ready as possible.
“I’ve been checking in with the players to see how they’re doing, and our training staff has been doing Zoom workouts with all of them a few days a week,” Ainge said. “But everybody seems to be in good spirits, and that’s what’s important.”