Restart brings Morey a mix of excitement, uncertainty
Days before the Rockets’ planned charter flight to Orlando, general manager Daryl Morey could not quite say who will board the plane. He was not permitted to, even if he knew.
Still, with the Rockets taking the next step in the NBA’s restart, which will be filled with two more rounds of COVID-19 testing, Morey praised the health and safety plan and said players have been “excited” about resuming the season.
Morey, speaking on a media Zoom call Monday, would not indicate if Rockets players or staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus, citing Sunday’s NBA memo prohibiting answering questions about testing results until teams reach the Disney campus.
Rockets forward Thabo Sefolosha, who opted out of participating, told Swiss media last week that multiple teammates had tested positive, a factor in his decision. He did not reveal who tested positive or when.
“We’re not at liberty to really talk about the details of all that,” Morey said. “The NBA has put a good plan together. We’re following every part of that protocol. And we’re going to be on the plane to Orlando Thursday after the final days of testing and following those protocols. We’re
excited to get back going.
“I can’t say now because the protocols go all the way until we get on the plane. So exactly our traveling party won’t be determined until then.”
That uncertainty could include coach Mike D’Antoni, who at 69 is the NBA’s second-oldest head coach. D’Antoni has repeatedly said he intends to coach the Rockets through the season. Individuals older than 65 can have a more difficult recovery from cases of COVID-19, according to the CDC, but the NBA has not listed age as a condition that would prevent participation in the remainder of the season without other medical issues.
“The NBA … went through a very comprehensive review of every person who is on the potential traveling party,” Morey said. “People know, from the CDC and other places, what are the higher risk factors, different types of other conditions that increase your risk. Those have all been examined.
“The league office … came back
and said here are a set of people that need an even further review. That review, it is my understanding, is ongoing. We haven’t gotten the final results of the further review among the select folks that they wanted to do more investigation on.”
Morey did not specify that he was referring to D’Antoni or Rockets head of player development John Lucas, who is 66. Morey referred to D’Antoni’s participation several times during Monday’s media session.
Pelicans lead assistant Jeff Bzdelik, 67, and Lakers assistant Lionel Hollins, 66, will not participate. Hollins has treated hypertension since he was a player.
The Rockets had a round of testing Sunday and will be tested Tuesday and Wednesday and again after arriving at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. Morey said there have not been delay issue — as with the MLB testing that led several teams, including the Astros on Monday, to cancel workouts — with results coming either the next morning or afternoon.
Still, he understands the anxiety many have described, even
with the season resuming amid the controls put in place at the Disney venue. Morey said he will be among the Rockets’ 37-member traveling party because it would be wrong to ask players to do something he would not.
“I believe in the plan that’s been put together by the NBA,” Morey said. “I think everyone has anxiety, obviously, with the horrible results that have happened in the United States and around the world. My wife has one of those conditions that puts her at a higher risk, so that, obviously, makes things more challenging.
“Everyone has to assess the risk they’re deciding to take on versus the upside of what we ought to do, which is also continue to live our lives. We all are trying to make the smartest choice we can make.”
Morey said the Rockets could benefit from the nearly three weeks of practices because of the significant midseason changes to the rotation. Team practices have been prohibited. With seven teams shutting facilities following positive tests, the Rockets on Monday made workouts voluntary in the final days before they head to Orlando, though the Toyota
Center training facilities remained open.
“We’ve had Zoom calls with the players where Coach has talked about being ready for the restart, but the major work Coach is going to do will be in Orlando, the major points of emphasis,” Morey said. “We’ve studied and learned a lot from both the good and the bad, and Coach is going to focus the guys on how to eliminate those mistakes. Defense takes more coordination. So that’s where we think this extra sort of almost second training camp will help us.”
Before that, however, the Rockets will look to get through their final days in Houston with two rounds of negative test results and a full flight.
“I do feel comfortable we have the best plan in a tough situation,” Morey said. “Does that make the situation perfect? No. But I do think a lot of a lot of work has been put into this. You know, testing every two days, testing every one day leading up to leaving to Orlando Thursday. It’s about as safe as you can get.”