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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets argues against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 23, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets argues against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 23, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The NBA recently announced that players can bring in up to four guests in the Bubble. Moreover, they have issued a set of guidelines to dictate the category for allowed guests. Referees too can bring one guest each. But the coaches cannot.
While speaking in an interview, Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone hit out at the NBA for not allowing coaches to bring in their family.
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“This is day number 60,” Malone said. “The reason I bring that up is because the players have their families here. Which they deserve. Which is the right thing to do. The referees are allowed to bring one guest. Which is great for the referees.
“The coaches — the coaches are not allowed to bring anybody. I say shame on you NBA. This is crazy. I miss my family. I think I speak for me, I speak for my coaches and probably all the coaches down here. Sixty days and not having access and not being granted the privilege to have my family come here to me is criminal in nature.”
NBA coaches rally together against unfair rule
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra supported his colleague Malone. “I understand that these are not easy decisions, and this is not a normal period of time in our history,” Spoelstra said. “This is unprecedented. You can’t compare this to anything else. We’re not in the military. We don’t have a background in this. I miss my family dearly. So, I get it. This is not easy.”
Spoelstra, who had a second son back in December, could not see him and his family for over months now.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni also vouched for his colleagues. He said, “If you’re introducing new elements into the Bubble, then players, coaches, trainers… everybody should have the same opportunity. Those are hard decisions, and I understand both sides, and I understand where Mike’s coming from.”
The NBA has not announced the reason behind denying coaches a chance to bring their family. When players are allowed to bring up to four people, it is very unfair that coaches are completely denied.
Despite these statements, it might be too late to see some action. It will take time for the league to pass a rule, for families to travel, and finally clear quarantine when they arrive. But better late than never?
