Star guard DeMar DeRozan of the San Antonio Spurs is going to take part in the NBA’s restart this summer, but he has recently expressed incredulity and frustration about the restrictions to which players will be held during their stay in the “bubble” in Orlando, Florida.
Players have been presented with a large and detailed set of rules which they are to follow in order to try to prevent any possible spread of COVID-19 while the season is finished under exceptional circumstances.
DeRozan’s frustration highlights some of the key reasons why some players have a hard time accepting that many activities that they see as a part of normal day-to-day life will not be permitted inside the NBA’s bubble.
When asked about the league’s prohibition of ping pong as a leisure activity, DeRozan responded, “Guys can’t do this, but we can do this and battle over each other? That part just don’t make no sense to me. I got through 10 lines of the handbook and just put it down because it became so frustrating and overwhelming at times, because you just never thought you’d be in a situation of something like this. So it’s hard to process at times.”
DeRozan, who is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game this season, also expressed concerns about how the toll of confinement will affect the mental health of players who participate in the 2020 season restart.
The former Raptors guard is expected to be a key part of the Spurs’ push for playoff success this season.
