As the 22 NBA clubs prepare for their eight-game restart in Orlando on July 30, players are out of quarantine, have practiced at least once in preparation for the abbreviated season and are living in a relaxed, fun-filled bubble-like environment.
After all, it’s Disney World, and with Orlando playing host to the season, it seems to be a fairy-tale-come-true atmosphere for the 300 athletes gathered to play the game that has made them all millionaires.
What has made it more pleasurable is that various NBA stars are using social media to record what is going on inside the bubble.
The latest? New Orleans Pelicans guard J. J. Redick enjoys golf at the Disney compound and, after one round, made a promise to ‘shotgun’ a can of Bud Light if users reached 10,000 retweets.
“I really had no idea that tweet would get ten thousand retweets,” Redick laughed, “but I guess NBA Twitter never fails.”
Miami’s Leonard Emerging as King of the Bubble.
Even though Pelicans executive David Griffin begged for it not to happen, it happened. Redick actually shotgunned a beer from a portable ice bath.
Meyers Leonard of Miami is already one of the bubble’s social media stars. The Heat’s 28-year-old center took up Redick’s challenge and chug-a-lugged a can of Coors Light in three seconds in a video posted onto his social media platform.
“Call me the Bubble King. I’m accepting all challengers,” Leonard Tweeted after posting the beer-chugging film.
Leonard had already gained attention earlier in an Instagram Live session that went for one hour. He posted it on Miami’s first day on the NBA campus in Orlando. From his plush room at Disney resort’s Gran Destino Tower, the seven-foot, two-hundred-and-sixty-pound
Leonard called for room service.
He was promptly brought lobster bisque, a hamburger, chicken strips, french fries and four Coors Lights.
Leonard told reporters that he didn’t normally do the Instagram Lives. He said he just wanted the public to see what was happening during the Disney experience.
So, there it is. The best place to watch the NBA’s preparation for the season is on social media where players are giving behind-the-scenes access to what’s happening in Orlando.
Players have found fishing to be good on one of Disney’s lakes. Guard Ben Simmons of the 76ers caught a nice fish off the pier.
He wanted to throw the fish back into the water but didn’t know how to release it from his line.
Clippers players Paul George and Montrezl Harrell each landed good-sized bass. Luca Doncic and Boban of the Dallas Mavericks also joined the NBA fishing tournament.
Kyle Korver Will Brandish “Black Lives Matter” on Back of Jersey.
While JaVale McGee, Los Angeles Lakers center, is seen with his bike, a whole host of players have brought golf clubs to Orlando. One most noteworthy is Milwaukee guard Kyle Korver, who has said he definitely will brandish “Black Lives Matter” on the back of his jersey.
Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors coach, has brought his guitar.
Several players have their gaming systems set up and have them up and running in their rooms.
Lakers forward Anthony Davis is heavily involved in gaming and says he has been playing video games with teammates.
P.J. Tucker of Houston has an 85-inch television. He said since Orlando will be his home for the next three months, he want to feel at home as much as possible.
The NBA is providing several activities, including visits to Disney attractions after hours.
“Getting outside and playing some golf has been helpful,” Redick said. “Bubble life has been good. The hotel is good. The food is good. Everything is good. We’re here to play basketball. We are on a mission. We have a job to do. It’s all good.”
Video taken from practices show players without masks — which is allowed — and coaches donning masks. Disney convention center and ballroom spaces at Disney are now practice courts.
Teams are little by little returning to practice after four months off. For teams expecting to make a deep run in the playoffs, such as the Raptors, Lakers, Clippers and Bucks, it is said their approach may be unlike that of a team simply attempting to better their seeding or get into the playoffs.
One thing about social media as it relates to the new, revised NBA campaign. It gives its fans a new angle of entertainment. It can’t be all that bad.
