San Antonio Spurs, NBA world reacts to league suspension and coronavirus outbreak

We gathered some key reactions by the San Antonio Spurs and notable NBA figures with the news that the league is shutting down due to coronavirus outbreaks.

With the NBA officially suspended for the first time since the 2011 lockdown, the San Antonio Spurs and their fans have been amongst the many groups emanating big reactions. This is an unprecedented turn of events in professional sports with various conferences of the NCAA, as well as the NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS suspending play.

This came to a boiling point last night when it was announced that Utah Jazz star center Rudy Gobert was diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus. There is no previous precedent for this in the NBA with the most comparable moment being the NBA’s suspension of play in the 1996 hybrid live action-animated film Space Jam starring Michael Jordan.

It’s mostly been quiet from the Spurs and their players, but a few notable figures in San Antonio’s organization and locker room have spoken on the topic. We’ve gathered some of the most intriguing reactions from noteworthy figures throughout the NBA world, as well as those by Spurs players and figureheads themselves.

First and foremost, Spurs Sports and Entertainment CEO R.C. Buford released this statement on Thursday:

pic.twitter.com/18LCk2fwFz

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 12, 2020

Considering the NBA is a multi-billion dollar corporation, the league and it’s 30 teams will exercise all of their resources to ensure the safety of their players, coaches, staff and fans. As they continue working through the situation, we’ll provide updates on their findings and decisions.

As for the Spurs’ players themselves, neither DeMar DeRozan nor LaMarcus Aldridge has addressed the situation on social media. However, a few noteworthy players have taken to Twitter to give their perspective on the situation.

Take care of y’all chicken ?

— Lonnie Walker IV (@lonniewalker_4) March 12, 2020

2020 been TOO CRAZY…

— Drew Eubanks (@DrewEubanks12) March 12, 2020

I’m still in shock!

— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) March 12, 2020

pic.twitter.com/Gse43DigzQ

— Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) March 12, 2020

Head coach Gregg Popovich spoke with the media in New York City just before the Spurs’ road loss in Brooklyn. During that session, he discussed President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus situation with The New York Daily News, among other outlets, on March 7.

“It was our president blaming Barack Obama for the fact we don’t have the kits we need right now. Seriously, I think he thinks Barack Obama tripped Mary Decker,” Popovich said sarcastically, referring to the U.S. middle-distance runner who fell in the 3,000 meters at the 1984 Olympics.

“Seriously, so you know if it affects him personally in a financial or political way and it’s positive, he’ll tout about it and he’ll brag about it forever. But if it goes against him whether it’s a person or an organization, he’ll go after it,” Popovich said. “We all know why: Because he’s a coward.”

Some former Spurs players and coaches, as well as fans, have also taken to the internet to make their feelings about the NBA’s cancellation known.

Whoever said 2020 was gonna be they year, they can have this shit

— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) March 12, 2020

Surreal https://t.co/Rku2fH8d1h

— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) March 12, 2020

"Due to unforeseen circumstances the game has been postponed" OKC P.A. announcer says…

"Good Night, Fans"

— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) March 12, 2020

so spurs keep their playoff streak or?.. https://t.co/2k2pG5Ub3p

— Spurs Family (@SASpursFamily) March 12, 2020

NBA: Spurs 22 year playoff streak will come to an endGod: lol hold my beer

— Alexander Cardenas (@Alexander_Cards) March 12, 2020

If I were Adam Silver I would simply find the cure for the Coronavirus

— /r/spurs (@redditspurs) March 11, 2020

BREAKING: The NBA suspends the season until further notice.

cc: @DGreen_14 @HarrisonSanford pic.twitter.com/jqwKMfyT8j

— Inside The Green Room (@GreenRoomInside) March 12, 2020

Besides the Spurs and those connected, the entirety of the NBA world has been reacting to the situation. We’ve picked out some of the most noteworthy, including this post by All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell who was tested positive for the coronavirus this morning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pEkQOAOB0/

Man we cancelling sporting events, school, office work, etc etc. What we really need to cancel is 2020! ??‍♂️. Damn it’s been a rough 3 months. God bless and stay safe??

— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 12, 2020

2020 aint it. Don't know what to compare this situation to…just gotta buckle up and take care of yourself and those around you. Basketball will be back at some point but right now, protect yourself and stay safe out there!

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) March 12, 2020

Devin Booker finding out during his Twitch stream that the NBA season has been suspended. pic.twitter.com/AI4zGfKgI0

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) March 12, 2020

"This is crazy. This can't be true. … It seemed more like out of a movie than reality."

—Mark Cuban explains his reaction to hearing that the NBA was suspending its season. pic.twitter.com/MHyrAD4D0f

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2020

I hope all the players take some time to really work on life outside of basketball . Using your resources and celebrity to your advantage . Take the meetings. Diversify and learn to explore other avenues of income while you’re still in the league. Bc when it’s over it’s over !

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 12, 2020

If you’re gonna take precaution, if any. Take all precautions ??‍♂️

— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) March 12, 2020

We’ll continue to update you as we have more information on the topic, but the NBA world and its fans are rallying around the decision to suspend league play. Safety comes first, and as much as we’d love to watch some basketball in the midst of this situation, gathering thousands of people in one place isn’t the smartest idea right now.

We’ll update this piece if more noteworthy Spurs figures make public statements.