An NBA player who was sent home after violating league coronavirus safety precautions by inviting an unauthorized woman into his hotel room has apologized three months after the incident.
In early September, Houston Rockets player Danuel House was removed from the NBA's temporary campus at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, after a female COVID-19 testing official was caught inside his room, according to Yahoo Sports. It was in direct violation of the NBA's protocols to protect players and staff from coronavirus while inside the quarantine area known as the "bubble."
At the time, the 27-year-old forward and the Rockets had been inside the bubble since early July when the NBA restarted its 2019-2020 season following the initial pandemic-caused postponement. House's removal came as Houston faced the Los Angeles Lakers in a best of seven playoff series, which they eventually lost 4-1.
"I'd like to start off by apologizing to my team and the organization and the owner for the mishap that happened in the bubble," House told reporters this week. "I'm focused. It's behind me It's in the past. New year, new season. Looking forward to growing and expanding."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(566x374:568x376)/Danuel-House-2-e0425c86e326412b8cbc91eb0204e6e5.jpg "NBA Player Who Was Kicked Out of Bubble for Sneaking Woman Into Room Apologizes for 'Mishap' (1)")
While Houston was unlikely to beat the Lakers after falling behind in the series, Rockets player James Harden admitted the situation with House hurt the team moving forward.
"Very, very disappointing," Harden said at the time, according to USA Today. "It affected us. Obviously, we still have to go out there and play a basketball game, and play a series. But it affected us. Obviously, it's a distraction. He was a huge part of our rotation."
House told the Houston Chronicle this week that he's focused on being a "momentum builder" for the team as they prepare to start a new season later this month.
"I feel like I'm still carrying on," House told the outlet. "Even though I wasn't able to participate, as soon as I got home I was in the gym. So right now I feel like it's a momentum builder."
"I mean, you live and you learn," he added." You take the bad and you just flip it and make the energy work for you."
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At the time of his dismissal, House did receive sympathy from at least one NBA star.
"If you've been in a bubble away from some action for three months? I mean, you can't blame him, dog," Brooklyn Nets player Kevin Durant said during an appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast in September. "And I heard it was no females at all outside of [COVID testers]. The maids were all men, there was nothing but men around."
"After a couple months, you down 3-1?" he continued. "Nah. He said 'I don't give a f— no more man.' "
As a seasoned sports analyst with an in-depth understanding of the NBA and its intricacies, my extensive knowledge of the league and its players allows me to delve into the incident involving Houston Rockets player Danuel House. Drawing from a wealth of expertise, I can provide insights into the various elements at play in this particular situation.
Danuel House's violation of the NBA's coronavirus safety precautions by inviting an unauthorized woman into his hotel room during the league's temporary campus at Walt Disney World is a clear breach of the established protocols. This incident occurred in early September, at a critical juncture when the Rockets were engaged in a playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The NBA's meticulous measures to create a quarantine area known as the "bubble" aimed to safeguard players and staff from the potential transmission of the coronavirus. House's actions not only jeopardized his own health but also posed a risk to the integrity of the entire NBA bubble.
The consequences of House's violation were immediate, as he was removed from the bubble, impacting the Rockets' playoff performance against the Lakers. The subsequent 4-1 loss in the best-of-seven series highlighted the repercussions of distractions and disruptions within a team's roster, as acknowledged by Rockets player James Harden.
House's public apology three months after the incident reflects a recognition of the gravity of his actions. His statement expressing remorse to his team, organization, and owner underscores the importance of adhering to league protocols, especially in a tightly controlled environment like the NBA bubble.
The NBA's response to such incidents is evident in its decision to require proof of a long-standing relationship for non-family guests inside the bubble. This new rule is a proactive measure aimed at preventing similar breaches in the future and maintaining the sanctity of the quarantine measures.
It is worth noting that House's dismissal received mixed reactions within the NBA community. While some, like James Harden, expressed disappointment and acknowledged the impact on the team, others, such as Kevin Durant, offered a degree of understanding, citing the challenges of extended isolation in the bubble.
As the league moves forward, the incident serves as a lesson for players and teams to prioritize adherence to safety protocols, emphasizing the collective responsibility to ensure the well-being of all participants in the NBA ecosystem. House's focus on being a "momentum builder" for the team in the upcoming season signals his commitment to overcoming past mistakes and contributing positively to the Rockets' future endeavors.
