BOSTON (AP) — Celtics coach Brad Stevens can only remember leaving his home on a few occasions over the past two weeks.
It is part of the new status quo for coaches and players across the NBA since the coronavirus pandemic sparked a rolling shutdown of professional sports across the globe. The league suspended its season March 11 after Utah Jazz All-Star Rudy Gobert became its first player to test positive for the COVID-19 strain.
Like everyone else, the 42-year-old coach has been left searching for ways to adapt to a new reality and daily routine.
The novel coronavirus has triggered a worldwide pandemic, infecting a minimum of 597,000 individuals and resulting in over 27,000 deaths across the globe. The outbreak has severely impacted economies and necessitated restrictions on the mobility of millions to prevent the virus from proliferating further and overburdening healthcare systems.
So far, the NBA has canceled 100 games and it is uncertain when, or even if, the season will resume.
Stevens stated that he’s spending time the same way as many others nationwide.
“He said, “I make an effort to do everything that we’re requested to do. We go out and take walks. However, my thoughts are with everyone who’s really confronting this situation. It’s just that you can’t help but feel terrible.”
Stevens devotes his days to maintaining his connection with both his family and the Celtics’ family as best as he can.
Together with his wife Tracy, he created a PowerPoint presentation to help his 14-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter understand the scale of the pandemic in New England and globally.
He has also been joining his players and coaching staff on video conference calls. However, he noted that the focus has been less on basketball and more on ensuring everyone’s safety.
“You know, we’re just like the rest of the world where basketball is no longer a priority,” he said.
On March 19, Marcus Smart, a guard for the Celtics, revealed that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Earlier in the month, on March 6, Boston had a game against the Utah Jazz.
Stevens stated that the day Gobert’s positive test was made public is something he believes we will all remember.
Stevens confirmed that Smart is doing well. As a preventive measure, all Celtics players and staff underwent tests, which fortunately returned negative results.
“Clearly, we’re stepping into a new reality in the days that follow,” said Stevens. “We’re referring to staying at home as an inconvenience, which is almost laughable. So many people are tirelessly working every day to assist our communities while putting themselves at risk. Every time you switch on the TV, the reality of the situation becomes even more apparent.”
Stevens doesn’t believe it’s currently suitable to intensely focus on basketball with his players. However, they are making some progress during their free time.
All the players have been provided with exercise bikes and individual weight sets for optional home workouts. Additionally, Stevens is currently undertaking some of the postseason film study which he usually completes post-season.
“It aids us in identifying what we need to do if we can start playing again and where our focus should lie once we return to training,” he stated. “Being off for the duration we’re anticipating would necessitate re-acclimating and reconditioning. However, there is already a system in place for the 15 team members.”
Stevens stated that his current focus is on staying occupied, rather than trying to foresee when he may be able to fully recommit to basketball.
“He said, “I believe there’s much to ascertain. However, you cannot ascertain any of that without a timeline. Currently, obtaining a timeline is nearly impossible.”
