NBA team staff can have guests in bubble starting in conference finals
The NBA will now allow team staff to bring a limited number of guests to the Orlando bubble, starting with the conference finals, after facing criticism from the coaching ranks last week, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who cited a league memo.
The staff's guests must quarantine upon arrival at the campus like all of the bubble's inhabitants. Teams are allowed to invite 10 staff guests on the Disney World campus, according to Wojnarowski.
Last week, Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone called the NBA's previous decision to restrict guests for team staff in the bubble "criminal in nature," noting that players and even game officials were able to have family members join them after the pool of active teams had winnowed down.
Mike Malone - "Today is day 60. The players have families here, which they deserve. The referees are allowed to bring 1 guest, which is great. The coaches are not allowed to bring anybody. I say shame on you NBA. This is crazy, I miss my family... It's criminal in nature." pic.twitter.com/1GVd2biflV
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 4, 2020
Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens has also been supportive of revised guidelines regarding staff family guests, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
In contrast, Toronto Raptors bench boss Nick Nurse wasn't too put off by the league's initial regulation.
"Even though it looks like a really good setup for the families and kids, as I roam around a little bit and actually talk to some of them and they say they're having a good week, I didn't really feel it would be a great place to bring my family or kids," Nurse said.