The National Basketball Association invented their own “bubble” in order to keep playing during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic.
In Lake Buena Vista, Orlando at Disney’s Worldwide Sporting Complex players, coaches, staff members, and many more people have undergone treacherous testing measures in order to continue the basketball season. Averaging two tests a day, the NBA has kept out the Coronavirus.
In a recent Fox news article, Chris Mannix described, explains his two months of living in the bubble. Mannix says “Honestly, two months in a hotel didn’t bother me that much.”
He explains how this may be true for him, however it is not the same story for what the multimillionaire players are used to. Mannix states that at first all the precautionary acts seemed to be a little much at first; it was well worth it as the NBA reported zero Covid cases after the first eight weeks of action.
If the NBA could get everyone packed inside a place with no outside contact, they would be able to resume the season. The people entering the bubble went through multiple Covid tests making sure that the virus would be cut off at the door. Although, there are exceptions on if players can come and go. Players are allowed to leave the bubble for family concerns; however, they have to notify the NBA before they do. Also, when the players reenter, they have to quarantine until they test negative, keeping the virus out of the bubble.
Peter Botte of the New York Post recently wrote an article criticizing Denver Nuggets coach, Mike Malone, who called out the NBA saying, “shame on you, NBA,” for not allowing coaches and staff’ families to enter the bubble. Because the NBA recently allowed the players to bring three members of their family to enter the bubble. However, they did not allow the coaching staff any family members to come. Although they are looking at solutions to allow the coaching staff to bring family in as well.
Planning to allow additional family members to enter the bubble during the Conference Finals is the works. Sports Illustrated reported that the NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver said, “We are mindful of the incredible hardship these restrictions impose and wish it were not necessary for the health and safety of everyone involved.” The league also responded to the criticism with a statement saying that they are limiting the number of people in the bubble due to the highly contagious nature of Covid-19.
Tadd Haislop explained in Sporting News why the bubble worked.The NBA started the bubble by sending all the players and staff a 100 plus page document explaining everything that will happen in the bubble.
This bubble idea has started a trend in many other sports as well. As the WNBA have started their own bubble, and the NFL, NHL, and MLB have discussed the possibilities of starting one as well.
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