Popovich feels secure in NBA bubble with safety protocols in place

As the NBA's oldest active head coach at 71 years of age, Gregg Popovich expressed confidence in the protocols being implemented inside the league's quarantine bubble at Walt Disney World Resort.

"I honestly do believe, and it's not just me being a loyal soldier to the NBA, I've done my share of criticizing here and there when I thought it was necessary, but I don't know where else you would be as safe as we are right now," the San Antonio Spurs coach told ESPN's Royce Young on Saturday.

"They can't spoil us here as much as they usually do, before COVID - we're pretty spoiled, in all kinds of ways," he continued. "So, we're not as spoiled now, but it's good for all of us."

Popovich said he felt reassured about his safety after speaking to NBA commissioner Adam Silver about the various measures the league is taking to ensure the protection of players and team personnel. Those measures include regularly testing individuals staying inside the bubble - in some cases daily - and strictly enforcing self-isolation protocols for players or staff who test positive.

The Spurs icon is one of three head coaches aged 65 or older set to participate in the season restart, joining Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans bench boss Alvin Gentry. The CDC has warned the coronavirus poses a higher risk for people of that age group.

Popovich will attempt to guide the Spurs (27-36) to an improbable 23rd consecutive playoff berth, which would set a new NBA record. With eight seeding games left to play, San Antonio currently trails the Memphis Grizzlies for the Western Conference's eighth seed by four games.