Lots of things have changed during the coronavirus pandemic, such as the Portland Trail Blazers playing in an empty Moda Center. But one thing seemingly hasn’t, and it rubbed Zach Lowe of ESPN.com the wrong way: Derrick Jones Jr. won’t keep his mouthguard where it belongs.
I am not an epidemiologist. This is not about safety or science. It’s also not really about Derrick Jones Jr., who has carved out a nice career. Players dangling their mouthpieces used to be charming. They have foibles, just like us! LeBron bites his nails! Stephen Curry gnawing on his mouthpiece was almost his version of Michael Jordan sticking out his tongue — a tic of concentration.