The Orlando bubble has presented a number of challenges to players. To comply with the conditions of the NBA’s return, players must stay within the confines of the quarantine “bubble,” away from friends, family, their home, and any fun activities not readily available in their current venue.
Fortunately, however, the league is doing its part to make things more bearable.
According to Marc Spears of The Undefeated, guests players are now allowed to bring one guest to each game in the bubble.
The NBA and the players association previously agreed to up to three family members and/or nonfamily members with “long-standing relationships” were able to quarantine for access into the bubble. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported that “negotiated terms that preclude players from hosting guests who would be deemed as wholly casual in nature, including ‘known by the player only through social media or an intermediary.’ ”
The NBA and NBA Players’ Association agreed to limiting the number of guests on campus during the pandemic for health reasons.
Each NBA team that advanced to the second round was given an additional 17 hotel rooms for guests. Monday is the earliest that NBA guests can clear quarantine and enter the bubble.
Here is more information on NBA players’ loved ones coming to the bubble: https://t.co/uP4RI5wB0X https://t.co/octj11Y38O
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 31, 2020
Obviously, this news comes at a huge relief for players, who have been away from their loved ones for months. In a particularly wholesome moment, Fred VanVleet was seen holding his kids for the first time since the bubble began.
Fred VanVleet being reunited with his kids 🙏
— NBA SKITS (@NBA_Skits) August 31, 2020
Of course, for many, the presence of their SO’s will make things a whole lot easier.
The NBA will allow players to bring one guest to each game, per @MarcJSpears pic.twitter.com/xiOijQImuw
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 31, 2020
Life in the bubble should be much better now that these players can finally live with their families. Their play and energy may go up as well.
As for the NBA, the clearance of guests only demonstrates how much of a success this restart has been. They need to be given credit for how well they have executed these bubble plans.
