![]() The NBA bubble is not material, though, and players can leave at any time (Silver prefers the “campus” terminology). When I think “bubble,” I think of the dome The Simpsons dropped on Springfield. (Performance-enhancing drugs and masking agents, yes the fun stuff, no.) Players were “ advised” that Florida has not legalized marijuana use. The protocol also says that while the players are at Disney, they will not be tested for recreational drugs. (That could be repeated for much of this entire endeavor.) A “limited number” of players can also attend other teams’ games along with media, executives, league and union personnel, and “even some sponsors.” From a safety perspective, inviting sponsors raises issues (the protocol says they’ll have no direct contact with players or teams) from a monetary standpoint, it’s another way to mitigate the losses already suffered from a postponed season. The league is planning on providing movie screenings, DJ sets, three freshly prepared meals a day (four on game days!), boating, bowling, fishing, golf, and the availability of barbers, manicurists, pedicurists, and hair braiders. It’s very clear the NBA wants this to be fun-or to distract its players from the fact that it’s not fun at all. (Did you know that speaking loudly for one minute can emit more than 1,000 virus-containing droplets, and those droplets can travel beyond 6 feet?) It’s oddly specific given the league is also allowing its players to play in enclosed gyms without masks, breathe on each other, touch the same ball, yell to their teammates, and speak in huddles. No doubles in ping-pong (I would like to see who enforces this and how). They can use the pools, trails, and golf courses on campus, and can socialize in their hotels’ “players’ lounges”-but not without restrictions. Players and staffers are not allowed to visit each other’s hotel rooms. (They’ll start testing on June 23, and will fly private.) Isolating Within Isolation Players will be quarantined alone in their hotel rooms for 36-48 hours until they produce two negative COVID-19 tests. Here’s a breakdown of the NBA’s social and safety guidelines for the Orlando campus: Arrival ![]() There’s no shortage of risk when it comes to resuming an operation this large during a pandemic. Couple this with the fact that the coaches union is adamant that its older coaches are included in the restart, and the situation is further complicated. (The NBA says “a small or otherwise expected number of COVID-19 cases will not require a decision to suspend or cancel the resumption,” although it did not note what the “expected” number is.) If something goes wrong-i.e., an older coach approved by the league physician falls severely ill-the blowback will be significant. The success of the bubble depends on the security of the bubble. Another called Silver’s tone ‘resolute but somber.’ He expressed a resolve to go on, while recognizing the seriousness of the coronavirus spike.” Team sources described the general tone of that call, including the questions asked of Silver on it, as tense. “In at least one recent call with high-level team executives, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged the spiking numbers in Florida. The NBA, meanwhile, is seemingly doubling down on its plan, championing the efficacy of its campus concept. The state is approaching 100,000 infections.Ĭollege football teams across the country that began workouts have already started to re-quarantine after mass infections. Will basketball returning distract society from the quest for social change? Is the campus safe? Is this where healthcare resources should be going? Florida’s count of coronavirus cases is hitting new peaks daily. Since the beginning of the NBA’s Disney World return pitch, players and fans have had reservations. The league’s humanitarian image-a feat, for an enterprise run by billionaires-is at risk. The proposal is exhaustive, but it’s not without inconsistencies that raise concerns. Last week, the NBA released a 113-page health and safety protocol for its plan to restart the 2019-20 season in Orlando. The NBA Coaches Union Is Speaking Out About Potential Bubble Concerns A Timeline of the NBA’s Path to Restarting
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