Saturday, April 1, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Sports Sports Basketball

Bubble-wrapped NBA readies for relaunch 

AFPbyAFP
July 29, 2020, 3:00 pm
in Basketball
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

Four months after COVID-19 sent basketball into an unprecedented shutdown, the NBA takes a leap into the unknown on Thursday as the league bids to resurrect its season at Disney World in Florida.

The Utah Jazz launch the rebooted campaign against the New Orleans Pelicans before LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard go head-to-head in a heavyweight Los Angeles derby between the Lakers and the Clippers.

The two games mark the start of a painstakingly crafted plan to stage the remainder of the basketball season safely in the midst of an ongoing pandemic which has already claimed around 150,000 lives in the United States.

To mitigate the risks, the NBA is basing 22 teams within a tightly controlled "bubble" inside Disney World's sprawling 40-square mile campus in Orlando.

Teams will play games at three venues inside the ESPN World Wide of Sports complex inside the park, with no fans in attendance and only a smattering of journalists at each game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Just over 350 players will be housed at three hotels located throughout Disney World, with access to each location severely restricted and visits from outsiders strictly forbidden until the playoffs start.

Players arriving in Orlando were required to spend 48 hours isolated in their hotel rooms until they had received two negative tests for COVID-19.

Testing will continue inside the bubble but it is not known how frequently this will take place.

'Significant sacrifice'

While multi-millionaire stars such as the Lakers' James have joked that entering the bubble felt like starting a jail term, so far the launch of the project has gone smoothly.

Practice games have passed off without a hitch, and the most recent round of testing found zero positive cases out of 346 players tested.

"It requires significant sacrifice from our players," NBA commissioner Adam Silver told the New York Times this week.

"From my standpoint, it's going very well, and I'm cautiously optimistic that we’re on the right track," Silver added.

"But I also recognize what we're doing has not been done before, and the competition is just beginning. The real test will come when players are commingling, playing basketball without masks and without physical distancing."

There have been some early glitches however as players adjust to the relatively spartan surroundings of the bubble.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams was forced to quarantine for 10 days after being photographed at an Atlanta strip club during a trip to attend a family funeral.

The Sacramento Kings' Richaun Holmes also landed back in quarantine after he left the bubble to pick-up a delivery of take-out food.

Inside the bubble's three arenas, meanwhile, the legacy of the tumultuous protests which erupted in the weeks following the death of George Floyd in May will be on full view.

Giant "Black Lives Matter" slogans have been written on each court, while players will be allowed to wear jerseys adorned with social justice messages ranging from "I Can't Breathe" to "Justice Now" and "Education Reform."

LeBron, Giannis on pole

On the courts, all eyes will be on James and his Lakers teammates as they attempt to return to the pinnacle of the NBA when the season wraps in October.

After a disappointing first season in Los Angeles, where the Lakers failed to reach the playoffs, James returned with a vengeance this season, leading the team to the top of the Western Conference before the COVID-19 pandemic erupted.

The Lakers and five other Western Conference teams — the Clippers, the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets have already assured themselves of spots in the playoffs, which start on August 17.

The biggest threat to James' hopes of winning a fourth NBA championship is expected to come from the Eastern Conference, where Giannis Antetokounmpo is aiming to guide the Milwaukee Bucks to their first title in nearly half a century. The Bucks had ran away with the Eastern Conference before the hiatus, opening up a 6.5 game lead over the Toronto Raptors.

Antetokounmpo, who grew up in poverty in Greece as the son of Nigerian immigrants, smiles at the suggestion NBA players are facing hardship in their confined environment in Orlando.

"It doesn't matter where you are in life, there's always something to complain, there's always a problem and an issue," Antetokounmpo said.

"My apartment in Greece, when I was younger, with my four brothers, was way smaller than the suite that I have in the hotel, so I'm just trying to enjoy the moment."

Antetokounmpo's viewpoint was echoed by Oklahoma City Thunder's Steven Adams.

"Let's be clear mate," the New Zealander said. "This is not Syria. We're living in a bloody resort."

Tags: Adam SilverCOVID-19Disney WorldESPN World Wide of SportsGiannis AntetokounmpoLeBron JamesNBA
ADVERTISEMENT
AFP

AFP

Related Posts

TNT mauls Meralco, sets championship faceoff with Ginebra

byManila Standard Sports
April 1, 2023, 10:40 am
0
8
TNT mauls Meralco, sets championship faceoff with Ginebra

By Peter Atencio Rhondae Jefferson-Hollis banged in 42 points to go with eight rebounds, an assist, two blocks and a...

Read more

Limited seats left for Gilas PH, US games in FIBA World Cup

byRandy Caluag
March 31, 2023, 8:50 pm
0
8
All Filipino win sets up Creamline’s grand-slam bid

Gilas Pilipinas will play five games in the first and second rounds of eliminations of the FIBA World Cup 2023....

Read more

La Salle Archers welcome new players

byPeter Atencio
March 30, 2023, 9:35 pm
0
8
Archers welcome 2 ex-Tigers

The La Salle Green Archers welcomed the inclusion of two homegrown talents, who have decided to stay on to play...

Read more

Gin Kings sweep Beermen to barge into Gov Cup finals

byPeter Atencio
March 29, 2023, 9:10 pm
0
8
SMART/MVPSF taekwondo summer classes still ongoing

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings showed their will to win as they fended off the San Miguel Beermen,...

Read more

Adamson, UST crowned NBA 3X champions

byManila Standard
March 28, 2023, 8:40 pm
0
8
Adamson, UST crowned NBA 3X champions

Adamson University and UST Women’s Basketball Team A were named the Men’s and Women’s Open Division Champions respectively of NBA...

Read more

Chooks 3×3 pushes PH to world no. 19 FIBA ranking

byManila Standard Sports
March 27, 2023, 7:40 pm
0
8
BingoPlus amps up All-Star Week with fun games, awards

Despite fielding a relatively overhauled all-Filipino line-up and losing Philippine no. 2 and prized big man Brandon Ramirez early in...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • SPIKERS’ TURF: Umandal is best of ‘em all
  • Kiana V sings new mental health anthem for the youth 
  • ‘Voltes V Legacy’ sneak peek to be shown in cinemas
  • Pluus: P-Pop’s newest boy group
  • The 1975 drops new single culled from acclaimed
    ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ album
  • Korean Cultural Center launches workshop on home-cooked Korean meals for Filipinos
  • MrBeast brings burger joint to Manila
  • Artist’s corner

Advertisement

Latest News

Korean Cultural Center launches workshop on home-cooked Korean meals for Filipinos

byGabriella Andrea Tresvalles
April 1, 2023, 6:40 pm
0
8
Artist’s corner

According to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, our inflation has been at an all-time high in 14 years, with 8.7% in...

Read more

MrBeast brings burger joint to Manila

byManila Standard
April 1, 2023, 6:30 pm
0
8
Artist’s corner

Global YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as “MrBeast,” brought his famous burger chain to the Philippines last March 22,...

Read more

Artist’s corner

byManila Standard
April 1, 2023, 6:20 pm
0
8
Artist’s corner

There’s no limit to making art or where artists can draw inspiration. Take it from Zachiko G. Jontongco, a Grade...

Read more

The Cat’s Spleen: Anatomical Structure, Function, Ailments and Treatments

byMariana Burgos
April 1, 2023, 6:10 pm
0
8
Pawsbook

When asked to describe the function of the heart, kidneys, or lungs, most individuals can give you a relatively accurate...

Read more

Pawsbook

byManila Standard
April 1, 2023, 6:00 pm
0
8
Pawsbook

We have been encountering posts on dogs, cats, and other animals on Facebook that are eye-openers, or inspiring, or enlightening,...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App