NBA announces details of Disneyland hub as players prepare for season restart
Social distancing alarms and a “snitch hotline” will be enforced when NBA players enter the Disney World bubble, but there’ll be some cool perks too.
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The NBA has answered some of the lingering questions about living conditions in the Walt Disney World “bubble” when the competition resumes next month.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania obtained an information packet called “Life inside the Bubble”, which details the strict protocols for players, staff and officials during the potential four-month escapade. The health and safety manual was sent by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) to team executives and players on Wednesday.
Teams are scheduled to enter Walt Disney World in Orlando on July 7, and all team staff will initially be forced to wear an alarm which sets off when the user spends more than five seconds within two metres of another person. However, the alarm is optional for players.
Sources: NBA teams have been informed of required positions for 35-person traveling party: athletic trainer; strength/conditioning coach; equipment manager; team security official.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 16, 2020
Each team can include a player’s private personal trainer, massage therapist, or security.
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To help prevent a coronavirus outbreak, everyone residing in the NBA Campus will “be required to wear a face mask at all times, except when eating, in their individual rooms, during a workout or while engaged in a physical activity outdoors that is not within 6 feet (two metres) of another person”.
Along with daily temperature checks, players are not allowed to spit, clear their nose, wipe the ball with their jersey, lick their hands, and unnecessarily touch their mouthguard while training.
Guests will only be permitted for teams which advance past the first round of the playoffs, and all guests will be required to undergo three days of self-quarantine and testing.
Anyone who leaves the NBA Campus will be forced to spend 10-14 days in self-quarantine and endure enhanced testing, including deep nasal swabs.
Charania tweeted the NBA will establish an anonymous hotline to report people for breaking the regulations, but that concept didn’t sit well with LA Lakers star Kyle Kuzma or Denver Nugget Monte Morris.
Snitch hotline lol https://t.co/PvSWrEVpbr
— kuz (@kylekuzma) June 17, 2020
Man 😂
— Monte Morris (@BigGameTae) June 17, 2020
Despite the strict conditions, there will also be cool perks in the players’ hotels like a 24-hour VIP concierge, along with a players-only lounge, pool facilities, barbers, manicurists and pedicurists.
Daily entertainment will also be provided to players, including DJ sets, video games, ping pong, and lawn games.
However, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the NBA has asked players to only play singles, not doubles, when it comes to table tennis to ensure social distancing can be maintained.
Yahoo Sports reporter Keith Smith also revealed the players would get access to entertainment not available to the general public, including highly-anticipated Marvel film “Black Widow”.
Bizarrely, hotel accomodation is based on seeding, meaning the strongest teams will stay at the “Grand Destino”, while the Blazers, Kings, Pelicans, Spurs, Suns and Wizards will reside at the “Yacht Club”.
Yahoo Sources: Each team will have access to designated Disney culinary team who will help create individualized team menus, support team dietary needs, and ensure health and safety guidelines are followed. Players will receive 3 meals per day and 4 meals per day on game days.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 16, 2020
My favorite detail in the 113-page health-and-safety protocol for Orlando shared with teams in past several minutes: No doubles in ping pong. "Until directed otherwise by the NBA, players should play singles only so that they can maintain six feet of distance from each other."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 17, 2020
The hotels for NBA teams are going to be based on seeding, and let me tell ya, I am cracking up at the idea of Lebron sleeping in the damn Cinderella Castle while the poor Kings get the La Quinta.
— Drea Blackwell (@KSBWDrea) June 17, 2020
I hereby declare myself eligible for the NBA Draft. https://t.co/VvUD9IMIE3
— Matt Singer (@mattsinger) June 17, 2020
If there isn't a prop bet for "what NBA player leaks Black Widow spoilers first" what are we even doing here https://t.co/gnscVd0VgV
— Jack McLoone (@jfmclooney) June 17, 2020
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The NBPA also confirmed any player who does not wish to be involved in the revamped competition would not be disciplined.
Each team will play three warm-ups games before the regular season officially resumes on July 30. Although the regular season fixtures have been reduced, the playoffs will remain in the traditional 16-team, four-round format.
Originally published as NBA announces details of Disneyland hub as players prepare for season restart