LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — Handa na ang gamit ni Russell Westbrook para sa pagbabalik ng NBA training, ngunit hindi ang kanyang kalusugan.
Pinakabagong NBA player at sports star na tinamaan ng COVID-19 ang matikas na point guard ng Houston Rockets ilang araw bago simulan ang paghahanda para sa pagbabalik laro ng pinakamalaking pro basketball league sa mundo.
Inamin ni Westbrook na nagpositibo siya sa COVID-19, habang dalawang player ang nahaharap sa 10-day quarantine matapos umalis sa bakuran ng liga sa Walt Disney World. Bago ito, dalawang player ang nagpositibo rin sa coronavirus matapos dumating sa Central Florida sa nakalipas na linggo.
Ngunit, hindi malinaw na sumailalim sa quarantine ang dalawang player o nagawang makihalubilo sa iba. Tumanggi ang NBA na pangalanan ang dalawa, nginit iginiit na “have since left the Campus to isolate at home or in isolation housing.”
“Our protocols are unbelievable,” pahayag ni Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry. “I think our protocols and our health and safety measures have been top-notch. I think this thing will work perfectly. ... We’re doing everything that we can possibly do to make sure that we’re healthy, we’re safe and we’re in an environment where we can be successful and do our jobs at a high level.”
Hindi pa tiyak kung kailan ang dating ni Westbrook, ngunit sinabi ng Rockets management na nasa Orlando na ito gayundin si James Harden na inaasahang papasok sa Walt Disney World sa susunod na linggo.
Sa kaso ni Westbrook, malabo na itong makasama sa training ng Houston.
“I tested positive for covid-19 prior to my teams departure to Orlando,” pag-aamin ni Westbrook sa kanyang social media channels. “I’m currently feeling well, quarantined, and looking forward to rejoining my teammates when I am cleared.”
“Please take this virus seriously,” aniya. “Be safe. Mask up!”
Tangan ni Westbrook ang averaged 27.5 points, eight rebounds at seven assists per game sa Rockets sa nakalipas na season. Nakausad ang Houston sa playoff at nakatakdang simulan ang kampanya laban sa Dallas sa Hulyo 31.
“I’m praying for his safety and the same for his family,” sambit ni Phoenix guard Devin Booker. “Hopefully he can get healthy and get down here as soon as possible.”
Ipinahayag din ng liga nitong Lunes (Martes sa Manila) na kabuuang 19 players na ang nagpositibo sa COVID-19 mula nang isagawa ang in-market testing nitong Hulyo 1. Sa pagsisimula ng pagdating sa Disney nitong Hulyo 7, dalawa sa 322 players ang nagpositibo.
“All we can do is try to stay optimistic about it and positive, and hopefully we can finish this season,” pahayag ni Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.
“It’s a condition, a virus, that does not discriminate,” pahayag naman ni Phoenix coach Monty Williams. “And we’re trying to do everything we can to keep our guys safe.”