Scott Morrison’s job description is much the same inside the NBA bubble as it was pre-COVID-19, but with a slight addition.
The 43-year-old Morell, P.E.I. native is an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. They are in Orlando, Fla., where the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs will be played held during the next few months. Teams have had some exhibition games and the regular season began Thursday with a pair of games.
“With no fans in the arena that we’re playing in, it’s pretty quiet at times,” Morrison explained.
“Coach (Brad) Stevens really got on us coaches about being loud and bringing energy.”
This is not unusual for Morrison from his head coaching days with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G League and at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont. But as an assistant coach in the best basketball league in the world, Morrison picked his spots.
But with an empty arena, he said, it becomes crucial to help provide energy for his team.
“I have a little reminder on my desk to be more vocal every day,” he said.
And with nobody in the stands, players and coaches are mindful cameras could always pick up a naughty word.
“I’ve had to adjust my vocabulary quite a bit already when I first got here,” Morrison said. “I’ve been planning for this my last three seasons.”
There will be no easing back as the Celtics play the league’s top team, the Milwaukee Bucks, tonight.
“I think it’s great for us,” Morrison said. “When the ball goes up on Friday against the Bucks, that’s going to be the real deal and we’ll see how we really step up against the best in the league.”
Boston (43-21) is third in the Eastern Conference, trailing only Milwaukee and Toronto.
The top six spots have been clinched for the Eastern Conference playoffs with three teams fighting for the final two berths (Brooklyn, Orlando and Washington). Boston looks nearly entrenched in the third spot, three games back of Toronto and 2 ½ up on Miami.
“The pressure is to make sure we’re at our best when those eight games are over and the playoffs start,” Morrison said, noting games with the teams ahead of them will be good measuring stick games. “We’re going to really know where we stand, and what we have to improve, before we get to the playoffs.”
Morrison and his peers have spent lots of time breaking down film since the pandemic shut down the league. There will be no flights or time spent checking in and out of hotels, meaning teams should be well prepared.
“It should be easier to get locked in on the task at hand and maybe the challenge will become not overthinking things with the added time that you might have.”
Morrison floated the idea a few months ago that the NBA should look at creating its bubble in Prince Edward Island.
“I didn’t get much traction from the people that matter that’s for sure, but I stand by it,” he said. “We have a couple nice resorts there that we could have divided teams out.”
Scott said he feels good about the protocols the NBA has put in place to keep everyone safe in the bubble.
Mark your calendars
The NBA returned to play Thursday. Each of the 22 teams still inside the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla, will play eight seeding games before the post-season.
Here are a couple of dates to circle on your calendar:
- Aug. 17 – The first round of the playoffs begins.
- Aug. 25 – NBA draft lottery.
- Sept. 15 – The conference finals begin.
- Sept. 30 – The NBA Finals begin.
- Oct. 16 – NBA draft.
- Oct. 18 – Negotiating period for free agents begins.
- Dec. 1 – Expected opening night for 2020-21 season.
Celtics
Here's a look at the Boston Celtics remaining games in the regular season. All times are Atlantic.
Tonight
- Boston vs. Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday
- Boston vs. Portland, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday
- Boston vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
- Boston vs. Brooklyn, 10 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 7
- Boston vs. Toronto, 10 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9
- Boston vs. Orlando, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11
- Boston vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13
- Boston vs. Washington, TBD
