NBA COVID-19 outbreaks a concern for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau looks on during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 02, 2019 in Boston. Credit: Getty Images/Maddie Meyer
Two NBA teams already have had COVID-19 outbreaks in their facilities, with the Portland Trail Blazers temporarily shutting down and the Toronto Raptors opting to exercise caution after contact tracing did not reveal more than the original three positive tests.
That doesn’t even bring into the picture James Harden not showing up for the Rockets while flouting league protocols.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau admitted concern. "Very concerned because it’s serious," he said. "I think it’s important for us to follow all the protocols. I mentioned yesterday Dr. [Lisa] Callahan and [trainer] Roger Hinds, they’ve really been diligent with us. I think that’s critical. Obviously what’s going on in the country is very concerning."
Family ties
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has a long history with Knicks president Leon Rose and William Wesley, the executive who came along with Rose to the Knicks. But even though Wesley has been close to Kidd-Gilchrist’s family since the latter was at Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick High School, he wasn’t willing to talk about it.
Asked how much Wesley, who is an executive vice president and senior adviser, had to do with his decision to sign with the Knicks, Kidd-Gilchrist said: "None. We always kept things separate from on the court. But I’ve known him a long time."
Asked how he thinks Wesley will do in this new role, Kidd-Gilchrist said, "You have to ask him that question . . . I think that he’s part of the organization and I believe in everybody from top to bottom."
New role
Kidd-Gilchrist is just 27 years old, but on the young Knicks, he sees himself as an elder statesman. He noted that he is telling players the importance of following protocols to avoid COVID-19.
Thibodeau thinks he can contribute in many ways.
"Michael’s been around, he’s got a lot of different experiences," he said. "I think the challenge for him is the way our league has changed, he has to find a way to fit in. The one thing that he’s always been, he’s always been a great competitor. Hopefully he can add to the group, his experiences being a veteran, working hard. And he’s done that for us."
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
