Kelly Olynyk has arrived at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando. He feels safer in the NBA bubble than he did in Miami (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

NBA RESTART

‘I was going to fulfill my obligation’: Olynyk never thought about opting out of NBA restart

Jul 9, 2020 | 5:01 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kelly Olynyk is officially inside the NBA bubble.

The 6’11” giant from Kamloops arrived in Orlando on Wednesday, excited to get back playing.

“I feel good. My body feels great. Obviously got a little rest. We’ll have time to get back into the swing of things,” Olynyk told CFJC Today from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. “We have a deep group. We’ve got some great players, deep group, a [deep] bench. I think we can make a real run.”

The Miami Heat come into the restart fourth in the Eastern Conference. Starting July 30, each team will play the eight remaining games in the regular season before starting the playoffs.

The Heat recently closed their facility due to positive COVID-19 cases within the travel group. But now that Olynyk is in the bubble, he actually feels more safe than at his Miami home.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

18h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

“I trust that the NBA is doing everything they can to make sure it’s as safe an environment that you can live in,” he said. “I think for us living down in Florida, not in the bubble, it’s probably even more unsafe, so at least we know here people are being tested all the time. It’s still worrisome, the fact you’re coming in contact with way more people you have in the last four months.”

In the last 24 hours, there have been just shy of 9,000 new coronavirus cases in the state of Florida. There have been a handful of positive tests among NBA players. The latest, Nets’ forward Spencer Dinwiddie, tested positive twice for COVID-19 and will sit out the rest of the season.

Athletes in other sports like baseball have opted out of their season. The idea hasn’t even crossed Olynyk’s mind.

“I was going to fulfill my obligation to play for my team and represent myself, my family and my team,” he said. “It’s fair. I don’t judge anybody or look at anybody differently if they opt-out.”

Olynyk wants to see the season through, but realizes there may be a situation where the virus shuts everything down.

“You know, I don’t think it would be one thing where just someone leaves [due to COVID-19]. Once you’re in here [the NBA bubble], you’re trying to see it through until multiple people are dropping out.”

He adds if he personally contracts the virus and has to be quarantined for 14 days, it would be difficult to keep going.

“You’re trying to get back after 15-20 days and get back into shape, that’s something to look at as well. But right now, you’re just focused on playing basketball and trying to stay as safe as possible inside the bubble and do your part to keep this bubble safe.”