Zach LaVine understood that Tuesday was the new normal.
Sure, it was strange for the Bulls guard to be escorted by PR deep into the bowels of the United Center to speak to the media pregame, but as he said several times, “it’s going to be an adjustment.’’
All the major sports, including the NBA, made the decision on Monday night to close locker room access to all nonessential personnel in response to the coronavirus concerns.
That meant coach Jim Boylen, LaVine, and rookie Coby White meeting with the media in the Concert Club, sitting at a table, and keeping the requested distance of six-to-eight feet.
“It’s going to be different,’’ LaVine said. “It’s going to be an adjustment because you pretty much have your set routine coming in and out of arenas. So it’s gone be different, different for you guys obviously as well, too. I think everybody just has to adjust to it, but knowing the bigger picture and reason why as well. It’s for everybody to be safe.’’
LaVine did say that the players have talked about the virus and what’s been going on, but haven’t been dwelling on it. As one of the team leaders, LaVine said it’s about doing the obvious – washing hands, limiting contact, and “staying safe.’’
“It gets scary because it’s unknown,’’ LaVine said. “Obviously if we’re taking precautions like this it’s getting more and more serious. I just hope everybody is staying safe, staying healthy, staying clean, washing hands and things like that.
“The main thing is it’s unknown for sports and entertainment people, our little circle, and how it could be effected because you’re around so many people, you go on flights all the time, have so many interactions. You see how easy it spreads, so you just want to make sure everyone is safe and doing the right thing.’’
LaVine had other concerns on Tuesday – coincidentally his 25th birthday. Specifically, getting over a left quad injury that has now sidelined him for the last five games.
He did get a workout in before the game with the Cavs, and his hope was to return this weekend, when the Bulls travel to Florida to play Orlando and then Miami.
“Just trying to find the right time to come back,’’ LaVine said. “I don’t want to push it and re-injure it, so it’s going to be trying to find that nice balance. I feel good right now. Anytime within the next couple games I feel like I’ll be good, sometime within the next week.’’
One scenario that LaVine didn’t want to see play out? The Bulls have made it a practice of shutting down players at the end of seasons for development/tanking purposes. LaVine has been included in that in the past.
He’s hoping that’s not the case this season.
“I mean obviously that’s happened before with players,’’ LaVine said. “That’s a conversation that they would want to have with me first. You guys know me, I don’t want to shut anything down. I don’t care about that other stuff. I like playing basketball first and foremost. If I’m healthy I want to go out there and play, finish the season just for me personally.’’
Otto pilot
According to Boylen, veteran forward Otto Porter Jr. will continue to see his minutes increase, but there are no plans to move him back into the starting lineup this season.
“I think he’s been productive where he’s at,’’ Boylen said. “He’s done a good job with kind of every game getting a little bit better. He’s a talented guy that can score and we need that. So I won’t jump into anything on that just yet.’’
