OKC Thunder: Seven teams close practice facilities as first group heads to Disney

With seven practice facilities closed six teams head to Orlando and the OKC Thunder set to depart Wednesday.

The day has arrived where NBA teams will converge upon Walt Disney World in Orlando. The first set of teams will depart their various markets and check into the three assigned hotels. The OKC Thunder arrives on Wednesday but over the next three days, the 22 teams split into groups of six or eight will fly into Orlando and enter the Disney bubble.

Although we’re in the countdown mode there remain concerns about the coronavirus due to the spikes across the U.S. and in Florida in particular. The fact the Raptors have been in their own mini-bubble in Fort Myers and none of their players or staff have tested positive for COVID-19 offers inspiration this process can work.

That said seven teams out of the 22 have closed their practice facilities due to players and or staff testing positive. The seven teams are the Nuggets, Nets, Clippers, Heat, Suns, Bucks, and Kings. This has some players worried just as they prepare to leave and a few analysts are suggesting it’s a sign. In some of these closings, it was due to a single person testing positive for contracting the virus.

OKC Thunder leaves for Disney bubble tomorrow

The other side of the equation is these clubs are discovering one or two people in their organization with the virus and instead of chancing more contracting the virus they’re deciding to reduce that option to ensure they can bring their full 35 travel party allotment.

Clearly, the goal is to hit the bubble with everyone healthy entering with 100 percent negative tests. But even in this scenario, the association can’t fully control the bubble because Disney employees will come and go. To offset this factor employees will be kept away from the players as much as possible. Rings or bracelets can be worn by players to warn them if they enter the 6′ window of distancing.

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Some have suggested the younger single players may be more inclined to want to socialize or ignore the rules that will protect them in the bubble. However, after the tough time Rudy Gobert went through for his ill-timed joke, it’s hard to imagine any of the players would chance contracting the virus knowing they could possibly infect and endanger an older staff member or spread it throughout the bubble essentially ending the NBA season.

With the NBA spending $150 million to finish the season in this ‘campus setting’, a smart decision would be for a high ranking stakeholder to hold a team discussion to drive home these facts.

Furthermore, although many Disney staff are unioned let’s hope the stakeholders have found a solution that allows everyone to stay safe.

Here’s the timeline of the teams’ arrival and the hotels they’ll be staying in.

Tuesday, July 7th

Gran Destino Tower: Nuggets, Jazz

Grand Floridian Resort:  Nets, Magic

Yacht Club: Suns, Wizards

Wednesday, July 8th:

Gran Destino Tower: Clippers, Celtics, Heat

Grand Floridian Resort: OKC Thunder, Mavericks, Grizzlies

Yacht Club:  Kings, Pelicans

Thursday, July 9th:

Gran Destino Tower: Raptors, Lakers, Bucks

Grand Floridian Resort:76ers, Pacers, Rockets

Yacht Club: Blazers, Spurs

Keep your fingers crossed for safe everyone’s safe travel and arrival.