I can personally see both sides. I think Gordon's a big contributor to the team when he is playing, but I can understand wanting to attend the birth of a child, championship or no championship. It's not his fault what would have been a two-or-three day trip could get extended because of procedures stemming from a pandemic.
That's just the thing, though. There are people who will never see their parents or loved ones again because they are not allowed into nursing facilities or hospitals to be with them. This pandemic has hurt a lot of people and made things very inconvenient to a lot of people. In Gordon's situation, he isn't really suffering at all. He is going to leave at his leisure and return whenever he is allowed to return...and who can really fault him in the organization? Nobody would want to play for the Cs ever again.
Mmmmm brought up Marcus Smart in his post above which I think is kind-of ironic. Does anybody really think Smart would leave the bubble for anything? His commitment to basketball is 2nd to none. In response to Mmmmm (and as I've already mentioned before when bringing up Javonte Green), with Smart's place on the team, the amount he is being paid - I think it would be universally okay if anybody on at his level or below left for an extended period of time. While role players can be important, you don't stand a chance without your top players. And Hayward is a top player on this team.
I do think it's odd that people don't think money should play a factor. The Cs paid Hayward $128M to be a championship caliber player. Nobody in the world gets this kind of opportunity. I don't blame him for his injury, but what return on that investment are we really talking about here - some good regular season games in year 3 of the contract? If by leaving, Hayward would agree not to pick up next year's option, I would respect his decision, understand that his commitment lies in avenues beyond basketball, and wish him well; but he's going to do what's best for him...and that's just kind-of sucky for fans and the organization.
As I mentioned earlier, jokingly, but really, why not? Why can't Hayward wear a hazmat after leaving the bubble? Why can't Robyn have the baby in Orlando to make this possible? I can already feel they eye-rolls as I type this, but it seems like there are legitimate ways to make this happen without missing an important playoff series; and it seems like only one side (the organization) is making sacrifices.
Thank you for being respectful. As I mentioned, I am not trying to be heartless and I am not trying to start a fire - I apparently just happen to have a different opinion than others. My idea of family is in the day-in day-out efforts of parents, not in any singular moment (graduation, first day of school, child birth, etc). Because, while people may see these moments as defining, I don't believe whether or not you are able to attend these events is what determines your greatness as a father.