Bucs win, but Tampa loses on weekend
So much for the mayor’s order requiring masks at Super Bowl parties. Videos went viral on social media, showing throngs of mostly maskless fans and packed sports bars as the clock inside Raymond James Stadium ticked down on a hometown Super Bowl victory for the Buccaneers.
“It is a little frustrating because we have worked so hard,” Tampa mayor Jane Castor said Monday. “At this point in dealing with COVID-19, there is a level of frustration when you see that.”
Some 200,000 masks were handed out ahead of the game, and “a majority” of people and businesses followed the rules, she said.
Hours later, during another news conference, Castor’s remarks shifted, saying that at least among those people that she saw celebrating, most of them were masked.
“I’m proud to say the majority of individuals that I saw out and about enjoying the festivities associated with the Super Bowl were complying,” she said. “They understood their level of personal responsibility and they were doing the right thing. I’m very proud of that.”
Even the White House weighed in.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about whether President Biden was concerned over Tampa fans taking to the streets following the Buccaneers Super Bowl.
“He is of course concerned when there are pictures and photos - we all are - that show many, many people without masks in close distance with one another at the height of a pandemic,” she said.
TRESPASSING CHARGE
A Florida man who ran onto the field during the Super Bowl has been charged with trespassing.
With the world watching, authorities say the man scampered onto the field Sunday night in the fourth quarter wearing shorts and a pink leotard or swimsuit. He was eventually tackled on the 3-yard-line by security personnel and escorted out of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
Kevin Durant continues to post negative coronavirus tests but the NBA’s health and safety protocols mandate he stay isolated and away from the team until at least Friday.
“From what I know, Kevin’s on about 90 negative tests,” Nash joked on Sunday. “It would be wonderful if he could join our ballclub as soon as possible.”
Nash also suggested the time away would also serve as its own form of load management for Durant, who is off to a sensational start but still working his way back from 552 days away from NBA basketball while rehabbing his ruptured Achilles tendon.
“Yeah, COVID protocols. Out 7 days. So there’s our load management for Kevin right there,” Nash smiled. “It’s one of those situations where we’ve had so much stop and start and we’re such a new entity. We’re trying to find that balance between trying to win games and keep our kind of emotional health, and at the same time not wear them out, and it’s very difficult to do with the roster and everything that’s been thrown at us. I don’t have a solution, other than we’ll look at the bright side of his seven-day hiatus.”
IRVING UPDATE
Kyrie Irving hurt his right index finger against the Raptors and did not play on Saturday against the 76ers. Nash said Irving’s index finger is improving but suggested it might not 100% heal this season.
“Having played with plenty of those myself, it’s the type of thing that sometimes doesn’t go away in the season, but is manageable,” he said. “We’ll see what level he’s able to attain as far as the pain and inflammation becoming manageable or not. But I think right now it’s manageable and he can play (Tuesday) night.”
FINAL SPOT FILLED
The Nets agreed to a contract with free agent forward and former Knick Noah Vonleh, who adds depth to a front court that was depleted with the trade for James Harden. He is also a serviceable three-point shooter and gives the Nets another floor-spacing option at the four or five.
The Nets only had one open roster spot left after the deal that sent out Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince and Rodions Kurucs in exchange for James Harden. The roster is now full.
CLAX CLOSE
Nets second-year forward Nic Claxton said he had some “flareups” in the knee tendinitis that has kept the promising tweener out of Georgia off the court to start the season.
“As far as the tendinitis goes, right now I’m in a stage where I’m trying to get my explosion back and that goes back to the patience thing,” Claxton conceded. “This is something I haven’t really had to deal with in the past. It’s just been patience with my shoulder and even going back to last year with my hamstring and now with my tendinitis and now I’m just trying to stay the course, keep my head down and continue to work. That patience word is huge because I know when the time comes I know I’ll be ready.”
Brooklyn selected Claxton 31st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, and the lefty forward-center flashed his potential as a versatile two-way front court player. He averaged 13 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks as a sophomore at Georgia before declaring for the Draft and ultimately signing a deal with the Nets.
Nash remains noncommittal on a target date for Claxton to make his season debut and says the next step in his rehab is joining the stay-ready group. The second-year forward said he’s progressed from one-on-ones to two-on-twos and played threeon-threes for the first time since his diagnosis during Monday practice with some team coaches.
“He’s almost a half-measure of the stay ready group and will be there shortly hopefully,” Nash said. “So there’s progress and there’s what seems like momentum and some light at the end of the tunnel. But I don’t have a day, and I would say it’s probably a good three weeks before he plays in an NBA game at minimum. Still a moving target, but positive signs for sure.”
Tom Konchalski, one of the most respected and beloved figures on the New York City high school basketball scene, died Monday after a battle with cancer. He was 74.
Konchalski, who attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, was a fixture at basketball games throughout the five boroughs and at summer league games and camps, sitting high in the bleachers in order to have an unobstructed view of the court.
His evaluations were crucial to college coaches, who used his reports to help determine whether a player was worthy of a scholarship. He produced his High School Basketball Illustrated on a typewriter, but it was a must-have for those who needed to keep track of the city’s top basketball talent.
Konchalski, who stood 6 feet, 6 inches tall, was easy to spot and did not try to hide from the players he was evaluating, or anyone else in the gym, including reporters. Before games and at halftime, he would offer a firm handshake, often holding his grip while he inquired about the well-being of one’s family members. He offered warm holiday greetings, often weeks after the holidays had passed.
During games, Konchalski scribbled notes onto a yellow legal pad and asked — politely — not to be disturbed in order to focus on his main purpose: watching basketball.
Konchalski knew just about everyone in the worlds of high school and college basketball. He played the role of a humble politician at basketball camps that were heavily attended by the most notable coaches in the college ranks. Coaches like Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim would go out of their way to chat with him. When done, he would return to the bleachers to talk to parents and spectators.
A longtime resident of Forest Hills, Konchalski did not have a driver’s license. Instead, he took public transportation to most games. He retired from scouting and producing his report just last year.