Billy Donovan was just getting comfortable with a starting group and the rotation of players he wanted to use off the bench.
Thursday was a stark reminder never get too comfortable this season.
Hours before the Bulls tipped off against the Wizards, the coach came out in his pre-game Zoom media session with an opening statement concerning the latest group of his players affected by the NBA’s coronavirus protocol.
This was no small group either.
Missing the game was Lauri Markkanen, Tomas Satoransky, Ryan Arcidiacono and Chandler Hutchison. Markkanen, who was also dealing with a calf contusion, was the only starter, but Hutchison and Satoransky had been key members of the second unit, while Arcidiacono was a second point guard – Satoransky the other – sidelined.
“We’ve said this all along and I think the league has said this, we want to keep everybody as safe and as healthy as we possibly can,’’ Donovan said. “I think we’re trying to take the necessary precautions to do things that enforce the guidelines that have been asked of us to follow. But you’ve got situations where the NBA, you know, makes decisions and has to look at the safety of the players, and the teams, and the organizations, and I understand that, so the only thing I can really comment on is these are decisions that are being made at the NBA level.
“The only thing I can comment on are these are kind of the health and safety protocols that the league has put in place that they’re following, so that’s all I can get into and say about because I think the league wants it that way because of the laws, privacy, those types of things. But that’s where it’s at and that’s what is going on. As I was mentioning, we’ll continue to test on a regular basis, just like we always do, and try and make sure everyone can stay healthy.’’
Don’t expect much more information than that, either.
The league has handcuffed teams into being very vague concerning the details that put players in the protocol. The four players could have all tested negative, but through contact tracing need to pass consecutive tests, or they could all be positive and instantly put in quarantine.
Donovan couldn’t even answer if the four players would be leaving with the team after the game with the Wizards.
What he was certain of was it was very unlikely they would be available to play anytime soon.
“My guess is yes, it’s going to go on here for a period of time,’’ Donovan said. “How long? I’m really unsure of that. I think the daily testing helps bring some clarity to where guys are at, but again, I don’t know how long it will be, but I do anticipate it being some time.’’
