OKC Thunder: Players adapt to life on first weekend in the bubble

The OKC Thunder and their peers are fully entrenched in the campus having marked their first weekend in the Disney bubble.

All 22 teams who’ll participate in the NBA season resumption are in Orlando. Squads began arriving on July 7th checking into the three designated Disney hotels over the three days. The OKC Thunder arrived on Wednesday, July 8th checking into the Grand Floridian.

After everyone in the clubs’ traveling parties produced two negative COVID-19 tests they were released from quarantine and each of the 22 clubs participated in at least one practice. A common mantra from players was how thrilled they were to get back on the practice courts and play five on five for the first time in months.

In this first of its kind situation every team will need to be open to change and adaptable to every sort of situation. This is arguably even more necessary off the hardwood where payers will be separated from friends and family for at least 53 days and possibly longer depending on how deep of a playoff run they experience.

The game plan is to bring in families after the first round of the postseason. But with Florida now the epicenter of the virus it won’t be surprising if that changes or if many players don’t bring their kids to Disney in fear of what they could be exposed to. On Sunday, Florida reported a daily record of 15,299 new cases, which also is a daily record for any U.S. state during the pandemic.

OKC Thunder adapt to off-hours in the bubble

Meanwhile, players spent their first weekend in the bubble finding ways to pass the time. OKC Thunder rookie Darius Bazley was among the most active playing the cornhole game with Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander offering refereeing services. This trio became close this season and the cornhole game reminded of kids catching up on the first day back at school after summer vacation.

Bazley also found time to get in some fishing with Devon Hall.

One noticeable concern from his fishing expedition is the protective mask Bazley had on wasn’t covering his nose and sometimes his mouth either. The reason that is a little concerning is that he was on a boat with presumably a Disney employee or the person who charters the boat.

Either way, it’s advisable to have your face covered when around someone who isn’t getting tested on a daily basis. And, it points to the fact the longer players are in the bubble they could become less attentive to this practice.

Other things occurring in the bubble this weekend were players who were on their balconies playing the role of dee-jay, spending time in the player’s lounge, and playing video games in their rooms.

As for insights into what life is like for the players the best example comes courtesy of 76ers Matisse Thybulle. The rookie offered up the first episode of his series that will document life in the Disney bubble.

Thybulle’s first episode of ‘Welcome to the Bubble’ takes fans through the initial stages of his travel to Orlando and initial moments of his arrival and quarantine in his room. The episode shows clips from the 76ers team convening to travel to Orlando, on the plane, getting tested, and checking into his room.

There are several funny and interesting moments like Thybulle having to pick up Chick-fil-A for the team as part of his rookie hazing, his first meal arriving without utensils or napkins, and a conversation with Tobias Harris as they marvel over the Raptors statement.

The latter was referencing the buses the defending champions arrived at Orlando in. Notably, Toronto was already in Florida due to issues with crossing the border and they didn’t want the players to have to quarantine twice, hence they were in Naples Florida for the past several weeks  (from June 22nd).

Thybulle posted the second episode on Monday which picks up where he left off and offers fans a birds-eye view of finishing the quarantine, the first practice, and some team interaction along with a bit of an issue with a can of Cherry Buble.

Orlando Magic wingman, Terrence Ross brought all his gaming and podcast equipment intending to spend his free time playing videos and also recording for his recently launched podcast.

J.J. Redick and Meyers Leonard entertained fans (and presumably themselves) as they shotgunned beers with the former requesting 10,000 retweets to cajole him into doing it.

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As much as teams are enjoying their reunion the big question is how they’ll adapt the longer they are encapsulated on the campus. It will require patience, creativity, and mental toughness.

It’s one thing to be happy basketball is seemingly back along with a return to routine. This should be more palatable especially in the early stages. but being locked in the bubble for what could add up to months on end will be difficult.

Once the eight seeding games begin and teams find themselves knocked out of contention things could get tricky. Making sure the players on those teams stay on the campus is essential. All it will take is one or two rebels to sneak out or take less caution in safe distancing with people entering and exiting the complex and suddenly the bubble could be burst.

For now, everyone including the fans is giddy over the prospect of the season resumption being just 16 days away!