The NBA recently proved that sports could resume in a safe manner. The bubble in Orlando has been a massive success thus far. Even so, it seems like they’re walking on thin ice right now and all that good effort could go down the drain in the blink of an eye.
See, the whole point about the bubble was to keep players in and the rest of the world out. That’s why there haven’t been any Covid-19 cases since they made it there. Now, however, they’re reportedly set to allow players to bring in guests to the bubble, according to Adrian Wojnarowski:
NBA/NBPA guidelines on guests, starting after first-round of playoffs, per sources.
Four guests per player, but can be exceeded for children.
Guests can travel on team charters following testing.
Guests will be allowed to attend games.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2020
Players will be allowed to bring in family and "established longstanding personal friends," into The Bubble, per memo shared with teams today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2020
Player guests can quarantine in team's market for three days, travel to Orlando, and then again for four days; or travel directly to Orlando and quarantine seven days there, per league memo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2020
Each player is allowed one ticket per playoff game for a guest — plus an additional admission for a child (32 inches and below), per memo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2020
Here's who isn't eligible to come into The Bubble as a guest, per memo: "Any individual the player has not previously met in person or with whom the player has had limited in-person interactions. (For example)… known by the player only through social media or an intermediary."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2020
Among those also NOT allowed as player guests, per memo: "current/prospective staff or business relationships…including agents, trainers, massage/physical therapists, personal chefs and tattoo artists."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2020
It seems like the league has it all figured out for now and, if those guests take the proper care and health measures, there’s no reason to think that this experiment can’t be a success as well. Then again, it opened up the door for speculation and countless jokes about who may the players take to the bubble:
Players in bubble trying to figure out how to work around this rule. pic.twitter.com/Z9GgMeDZRh
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) August 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/statsboye/status/1293558158032437253
IG Models reading this like… pic.twitter.com/IFJupIN7qk
— King J 🤴🏿 (@JMaine518) August 12, 2020
*Montrezl Harrell telling “Lemon Pepper” Lou Williams the news. pic.twitter.com/hWAg97wmex
— 𝖠𝗇𝖽𝗋𝖺𝖾 (@TweetsByDrae) August 12, 2020
All the NBA players calling up their ex’s who they have photos with pic.twitter.com/E0PXxXVhDQ
— Lachlan Everett (@LachieEverett) August 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/dekaliketen/status/1293542778018902016https://twitter.com/N1NOBROWN/status/1293540495495438337https://twitter.com/Kantman58/status/1293540590009888769
We trust the players to be mature enough to keep this going. At the end of the day, they’re not just putting the season at risk but also their own health. Let’s hope this works out.
