The Nuggets on Monday began the measured return of basketball activities.
Players were allowed to schedule one-on-one workouts with the team’s development staff, ranging from on-court drills to weight-room work. Assistant coach John Beckett and head strength-and-conditioning coach Felipe Eichenberger were available to assist. It was unclear which players, if any, took advantage after the team’s facilities were closed over the weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic.
An NBA memo sent out Sunday night required that equipment (i.e. ball, weights, etc) be “properly and thoroughly disinfected” after a player’s individual workout. As of Monday morning, no Nuggets players had been tested for the virus, according to a source close to the situation.
The league’s memo reemphasized a ban on team practices and any group activities for an indefinite period. The NBA informed teams that players are allowed to leave their local market as long as they stay in touch with their respective teams. That could constitute daily check-ins with trainers via Skype or FaceTime.
The Nuggets are prioritizing the health of their employees over basketball while maintaining a hope that the NBA season can eventually resume. At 43-22 and third in the Western Conference, the team believes there’s still a lot to play for should the season continue.
