Inside the NBA bubble

For a variety of reasons, 7 players had signified that they won’t be playing in Orlando – Avery Bradley (LAL), Bogdan Bogdanovich (UTA), LaMarcus Aldridge (SAS), Trevor Ariza (POR), Willie Cauley-Stein (DAL), Wilson Chandler (BKN) and Davis Bertans (WAS).  More players could be opting out when rosters are finalized.

Jabari Parker, Buddy Heild and Alex Len (SAC), Malcolm Brogdon (INA), Derrick Jones, Jr. (MIA) and Nikola Jokic (DEN) tested positive for CoVid but they could all be ready for the restart.

Teams were assigned hotel accommodations in Orlando and they’re based on seedings.  Utah, Boston, Milwaukee, Denver, Miami, Milwaukee, the LA Lakers and Clippers will be at the Grand Destino Towers which just opened last year. 

Memphis, Houston, Indiana, Philadelphia, Dallas, Brooklyn, Oklahoma and Orlando will stay at the Grand Floridian which is close to the Magic Kingdom.   Billeted at the Yacth Club, which is part of Disney’s Beach Club Resort are the six teams added to the expanded playoffs - Phoenix, Washington, Portland, San Antonio, New Orleans and Sacramento.

Players and team staff entering the bubble will be tested and quarantined for 2 days until registering 2 negative tests.  Those going out of the bubble will be isolated for 10 days upon return and must have 2 negative tests prior to given clearance to play.  If tested positive, they will be quarantined for 7 days and moved to an “isolation housing” and will only be allowed out of isolation after consecutive negative tests.

Everyone inside the bubble is expected to be tested each night.  Violations are to be reported thru an anonymous hotline.  Players can socialize with anyone inside the bubble after practices and games but are not allowed to enter anyone else’s hotel room.   There might be “Black Lives Matter” painted on both sidelines of the courts on the three venues. 

Disney staff members are required to wear gloves and masks and strictly observe distancing protocols from players and undergo daily sympton and temperature checks.  Housekeeping staff are not allowed in rooms with players.

For recreation and entertainment, there will outdoor games and golf, 24-hour VIP concierge, DJ sets, a players-only lounge with barbers, manicurist and pedicurists.  Players will have special access to Disney attractions and parks and are allowed to attend games on off days.   Best of all, those inside the bubble will have special screenings of Disney movies yet to be released.

If plans push thru, we will be seeing slogans on players’ jerseys.  The league and the players’ association gave them the option of having expressions on social justice in lieu of the usual family names on the back of their jerseys.  It was reported that things were being finalized with equipment supplier Nike.  Nope, we won’t be seeing statements like “Ang Manok” or “Wa’y mag Buot sa Tuob”.