The 2019-2020 NBA season will resume in late July after being suspended from March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month, players began arriving at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida, where they will live, train, and compete for the remainder of the season.
Thanks to social media, fans have enjoyed an inside look at everyday life in the “NBA bubble.” Philadelphia 76ers rookie Matisse Thybulle has been filming, editing and uploading videos to his YouTube channel, documenting everything from the flight to Orlando (as a rookie, one of his jobs is picking up Chick-fil-A for his teammates the day of the trip) about how he and his teammates spend their downtime (“apparently basketball skills don’t translate to golf,” he points out in episode four of his vlog).
Los Angeles Lakers’ JaVale McGee has also been posting videos on YouTube, giving the public a look at the daily coronavirus testing process, the much-discussed bubble-food situation, and what the team’s scrimmages look like.
For more frequent updates, fans can follow @NBABubbleLife on Twitter, an account started by four friends and basketball fans, some of whom work in the world of sports media, which chronicles daily bubble happenings. It’s the same team behind the @WNBABubbleLife account, which follows the WNBA restart at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Here’s a look at what NBA players have been up to in recent weeks in Orlando.
The competition extends beyond the basketball court with a cornhole tournament hosted by the Spurs. The format is simple to remove, games for 21 and skins are required, according to the rules listed at the bottom of the bracket.
The Celtics are getting competitive on the beach volleyball court.
The Mavericks are sharpening their spikeball skills.
The Mavs also established a pickleball court in a parking lot.
Players spend time on the golf course. Celtics’ Jayson Tatum seems to have a good swing.
However, Caris LeVert of the Nets is still solving some issues.
Other extracurricular activities have included fishing …
… and pool time.
There is a barber shop on campus.
And a nail salon.
Some players have celebrated their birthdays in the bubble, including Ben Simmons of the 76ers, who received a Mickey Mouse-shaped cake.
Another 76er player, Mike Scott, celebrated with what appears to be a pancake birthday cake.
Thunder’s Steven Adams was serenaded on the team bus.
Amid the fun, the players are training. They suit training in both hotel rooms and makeshift gyms. Here’s a look at Kyle Lowry of the Raptors at work.
Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors exercises during practice as part of the NBA Restart 2020 on July 22, 2020 in Orlando, Florida.
David Sherman | National Basketball Association | fake pictures
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