Mike D’Antoni falls into the “higher risk” category for potential complications from the coronavirus disease because of his age, and some have been concerned for the health of people like him when the NBA and other sports leagues resume play. D’Antonio apparently is not all that worried about it.
D’Antoni is eager for the NBA to resume play and would have no reservations about returning to the sideline to coach, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. D’Antoni will turn 69 on Friday and is the second-oldest coach in the NBA behind Gregg Popovich, who is 71.
Two anonymous NBA general managers recently told ESPN’s Baxter Holmes that they will be concerned about the health of older coaches and staff members when the league resumes play. But according to MacMahon, D’Antoni has told people with the Rockets that he has full confidence in NBA commissioner Adam Silver to not allow play to resume until it can be done safely.
The Rockets are 40-24 and in fifth place in the Western Conference. While the Los Angeles Lakers have a sizable lead over everyone else in the conference, the difference between Houston and the No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers is just four games.
The NBA has considered a wide array of options for potentially finishing the season, though nothing has been set in stone.
