The most unusual returns of the NBA due to the health emergency due to Covid

It is a complex situation. The numbers that skyrocket due to Covid infections generate some uncertainty, but as the NBA He does not have in his plans to stop the business, he will use all his resources not to stop the machinery. That is why, in December, they are already 72 players who were out of the competition and who signed contracts for 10 days to make up for the absence of all those who entered the health security protocols. Veterans, injured, players believed to be finished … Men that the League had despised and suddenly had another chance in the emergency.

The teams cannot stop the wave of infections, so they turned to old acquaintances to fill the positions: Greg Monroe, Anthony Tolliver, Darren Collison, Isaiah Thomas… y ¡Joe Johnson! Several retirees or on the verge of retirement and far from franchise consideration.

Isaiah Thomas excited the Lakers … for a very short time

So far this season, 214 players have entered the health protocols: 201 of them, in December. And 170 just in the last two weeks. Six coaches were affected by positives, the last ones, Monty Williams, of the Suns, and Chauncey Billups, of the Pistons.

In this context, teams have to resort to temporary contracts. According to ESPN’s slogan as of Monday, 541 players had played at least one game in the NBA, which is a record for the most players throughout a season. All thanks to the fact that Commissioner Adam Silver allowed a modification in the regulations and extended the special hiring of temporary replacements for ten days.

These are the six most shocking and unexpected comebacks of the season.

The issue of health protocols is so disturbing that the NBA enabled these temporary contracts to avoid having to suspend games, which would force rescheduling, suspensions and more millionaire losses. To facilitate the assembly of the teams, the NBA agreed with the Players Association that vaccinated basketball players who do not have symptoms, will be able to quarantine for 6 days (before they were 10). After this, with two negative results 24 hours apart, they will be able to rejoin their team.

In the middle of the emergency, the jokes were immediate. Reggie Miller started shooting on the court he has at home and joked that he has the phone open to receive the call and his ten-day contract. The 56-year-old, who is a commentator, joked with a special request: “My only request is that it is mandatory that we play zone defense. At 56 I don’t have time for all that man-to-man shit, ”explained the historic Indiana Pacers player.

The NBA resorted to extreme measures to be able to continue running amid the contagions. And the “declassifieds” found a new opportunity in the most powerful basketball competition on the planet.