LAC GOOD VIEW, Fla. – Exactly a week after Houston Rockets goalkeeper Russell Westbrok tested positive for COVID-19, coach Mike D’Antoni said before Monday’s practice that “he was about to land here very soon.”
The Rockets have sprung up scrums opposed to the Toronto Raptors (Friday), Memphis Grizzlies (Sunday) and Boston Celtics (July 28), which has led D’Antoni to the explicit optimism that Westbrok will appear in none other than some of them.
“Friday may be a little early, but it’s up to the medical staff and Russ himself to see how he feels more than a day before,” D’Antoni said. “I hope you connect in more than one scrums and be able to play.”
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Russell announced on Monday that he tested positive for COVID-1nine before the Rockets went to the NBA Disney campus on July 9. As a result, Westbrok has quarantined two weeks. However, in accordance with NBA fitness and defense protocols, a player arriving in Orlando must remain quarantined for 2 days, pass through intermediate control, and return two consecutive negative controls.
Based on this timeline, Russell can also perform activities before Friday’s scrum. At a major Apple event, D’Antoni said the team’s top logical priority in practice and scrums may be to make Westrbrok “the comfortable best friend.” The Rockets feel the same way about Luc Mbah to Moute, whom D’Antoni said he doesn’t know when he’ll sign up for the Orlando team. Most eyes can be on Westbrok and the pace at which you can follow the All-Star guard James Harden.
“On his worst day, he was as strong as any we’ve ever had. I think he’ll come here and be able to leave,” D’Antoni said of Westbrook. “I think it’s just more time and form in basketball. Your frame can be excellent. It’s just the time and the procedure to follow.”
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