The supposed deadline for players to decide whether to play or not for the Orlando restart was yesterday but teams are somewhat passive on the issue as the final submission of the official 37-man team travel party is on July 1. Team workouts officially begin also on this date.
For a variety of reasons, six players had signified that they won’t be playing in Orlando – Avery Bradley (LAL), Bogdan Bogdanovich (UTA), LaMarcus Aldridge (SAS), Trevor Ariza (POR), Willie Cauley-Stein (DAL), and Davis Bertans (WAS). More players could be opting out when rosters are finalized.
Teams were assigned hotel accommodations in Orlando and they’re based on seedings. Utah, Boston, Milwaukee, Denver, Miami, and the LA Lakers and Clippers will be at the Grand Destino Towers which just opened last year.
Memphis, Houston, Indiana, Philadelphia, Dallas, Brooklyn, Oklahoma, and Orlando will stay at the Grand Floridian which is close to the Magic Kingdom. Billeted at the Yacht Club, which is part of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, are the six teams added to the expanded playoffs – Phoenix, Washington, Portland, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Sacramento.
Players and team staff entering the bubble will be tested and quarantined for two days until registering two negative tests. Those going out of the bubble will be isolated for 10 days upon return and must have two negative tests prior to given clearance to play. If tested positive, they will be quarantined for seven days and moved to an “isolation housing” and will only be allowed out of isolation after consecutive negative tests.
Everyone inside the bubble is expected to be tested each night. Violations are to be reported thru an anonymous hotline. Players can socialize with anyone inside the bubble after practices and games but are not allowed to enter anyone else’s hotel room.
Disney staff members are required to wear gloves and masks and strictly observe distancing protocols from players and undergo daily symptom and temperature checks. Housekeeping staff are not allowed in rooms with players.
For recreation and entertainment, there will be outdoor games and golf, 24-hour VIP concierge, DJ sets, and a players-only lounge with barbers, manicurist and pedicurists. Players will have special access to Disney attractions and parks and are allowed to attend games on off days.
Best of all, those inside the bubble will have special screenings of Disney movies yet to be released./PN
