NBA in the Bubble

By: David Nalbandyan '21

Amidst all the chaos in the world, word of the NBA restart was fantastic news to basketball fans everywhere. Under strict COVID-19 health protocol, NBA basketball resumed play on July 30th at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. 22 of the 30 teams in the league decided to participate in what is being referred to as “The Bubble” in order to compete against one another and have a shot at a championship and all the glory that comes with it.

The idea of a bubble was first proposed by the MLB, however, it was looked at as a joke. The NBA was the first league to truly put this idea to work and restart the season in the confinements of Walt Disney World.

The bubble has shown to be very challenging for many that are participating. Due to the threat of the pandemic, all players, coaches, and staff members are forced to isolate themselves from their families and loved ones in order to ensure the safety of everybody involved.

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics was hesitant in parting with his two year old son, Deuce, as he was afraid of missing out on his toddler’s development.

“Just being away from my son for two or three months, that’s what’s really bothering me,” Tatum said in an interview with ESPN. “Knowing that he’s only two and a half, and especially when they’re that young, their growth, they change every week, just knowing I’m going to miss out on that.”

Many players share the same feelings as Tatum and are having difficulty with leaving their families. Luckily enough, the NBA made the decision that after the first round of playoffs comes to a wrap, players will be allowed to reunite with family in the Bubble.

Since there is nobody in the arena except for players, coaches, and staff, the competitiveness and drive to win is at an all time high. The most unlikely of players and teams are proving to be dominant. The last seeded Phoenix Suns went undefeated in their 8 games in the bubble. TJ Warren, a not so well known player of the Indiana Pacers, was the leading scorer in the bubble, putting up a total of 119 points in his first three games (53 of which came from the opening game).

All kinds of surprises are emerging from within Orlando, and it is exciting to see what will be happening in the playoffs where players will be entering an even more competitive state. This will go down as one of the most difficult seasons the NBA has ever experienced.