Tag: Disney World

Broadcaster Ian Eagle talks early success for NBA bubble

SportsPulse: Ian Eagle has seen almost everything in sports, except for an entire league operating within a bubble. The NBA broadcaster fills us in on what it’s been like on the Disney campus and why it’s been a success thus far.

SportsPulse: Ian Eagle has seen almost everything in sports, except for an entire league operating within a bubble. The NBA broadcaster fills us in on what it’s been like on the Disney campus and why it’s been a success thus far.

Former Warrior Jamal Crawford gives behind the scenes tour of the NBA’s Orlando Bubble

In a video with the Boardroom, Former Warrior turned Nets guard Jamal Crawford gave a behind the scenes tour of the NBA’s Orlando Bubble.

Although Golden State won’t be represented inside the Orlando Bubble, a group of former Warriors will be on the court at Disney World. Twelve former Golden State Warriors are slated to play across nine different teams in the NBA’s restart.

Former Golden State point guard Jamal Crawford will join the Brooklyn Nets inside the Orlando Bubble. After injuries disrupted the Nets restart roster, Sean Marks signed the 19-year veteran for Brooklyn’s stretch run.

Before games officially begin, the veteran point guard gave a behind the scenes look at the NBA’s Orlando Bubble. In a video for “The Boardroom,” Crawford toured the Disney World campus, including Brooklyn’s bubble practice, the players’ lounge and the barbershop.

Via @boardroom on Twitter:

After being acquired from the New York Knicks, Crawford spent 54 games in Golden State during the 2008-09 season. With the Warriors, Crawford averaged 19.7 points on 40.6% shooting from the field with 4.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

[lawrence-related id=25981]

During his short stint with the Warriors, Crawford notched a memorable scoring effort — tallying 50 points against the Charlotte Bobcats on 14-of-26 from the field with five 3-pointers.

Before joining the Nets, Crawford last played for the Phoenix Suns in 2018-19, averaging 7.9 points, 3.6 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per contest.

Other former members of the Golden State Warriors inside the Orlando Bubble include Andre Iguodala, JaVale McGee, Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson III, Kent Bazemore and Harrison Barnes.

[lawrence-related id=29794,29608,29148,29873]

[vertical-gallery id=29502]

Inside the NBA bubble: First scrimmage provides glimpse of unique arena

SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Medina recently attended the first real basketball action since the league shut down, but what stood out was the hi-tech, creative design of everything off the court.

SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Medina recently attended the first real basketball action since the league shut down, but what stood out was the hi-tech, creative design of everything off the court.

Inside the NBA bubble: First practice was ‘surreal’

SportsPulse: With quarantine behind him, Mark Medina is getting down to business inside the NBA bubble and attended his first practice which he compared to “the first day of school.”

SportsPulse: With quarantine behind him, Mark Medina is getting down to business inside the NBA bubble and attended his first practice which he compared to “the first day of school.”

LeBron didn’t bring security team, personal chef to Disney World campus

TNT’s Chris Haynes reported last night that LeBron James is trying to show solidarity with his teammates and not have special treatment.

In hopes of showing that he’s not going to have an easier time dealing with it than his teammates, LeBron James is trying to show that he’s right there with them in the quarantine, experiencing everything they are and not the normal King-like experience he would have otherwise.

TNT’s Chris Haynes reported last night on Inside The NBA that in hopes of showing solidarity with his teammates throughout their stay at Disney World, LeBron elected not to bring his personal masseuse, his personal chef and his normal security detail. It sounds like most of his time has been spent hanging out with Anthony Davis and Quinn Cook.

We do know that LeBron hopped on NBA 2K with Cook, as well as Anthony Davis, this past weekend. Obviously, if James would have asked for the league to accommodate him, he probably would have been granted it but seeing as how the teams are living together as well as practicing together, he wanted to make sure he didn’t have it better than anyone else, in hopes of setting the tone of for the duration of their stay. Also given that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, it would have been a little redundant for James to bring extra security when the league already has their own private security watching to hotels to make sure nobody breaks the bubble.

[lawrence-related id=32429,32423]

Lakers get day off practice, hit water slides at Disney World hotel

Kyle Kuzma and JaVale McGee both enjoyed some time outside on their day off from practice at the Disney World bubble.

For the first time since the Los Angeles Lakers cleared quarantine and were allowed to have full practices at the Disney World Campus, they were granted a day to themselves. The Lakers announced early on Tuesday morning that they were canceling practice and later on Tuesday, Lakers center JaVale McGee went on Instagram Live from the pool at the Lakers hotel, where he and his Lakers teammate Kyle Kuzma got in some solid water slide action.

Also, with it being LeBron’s first Taco Tuesday in the bubble, perhaps Frank Vogel and the staff wanted to make sure he was free to enjoy it any way he pleases. While it doesn’t look like LeBron joined his teammates at the pool for a day of cooling off in the hot Florida sun, it seems clear that he and the other Lakers probably aren’t too upset about having a full day off to themselves, even in a strange situation.

[lawrence-related id=32423,32385]

Inside the NBA bubble: How technology keeps everyone safe

SportsPulse: Only two days into his time in the NBA bubble, Mark Media is realizing just how far the league is willing to go in order to ensure safety for not only the players and coaches, but the media as well.

SportsPulse: Only two days into his time in the NBA bubble, Mark Media is realizing just how far the league is willing to go in order to ensure safety for not only the players and coaches, but the media as well.

Inside the NBA bubble: Getting settled in at the ESPN complex

SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Medina is one of a few select media members to enter the NBA bubble in Orlando and he shares his first impressions of the accommodations and safety measures within the Disney complex.

SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Medina is one of a few select media members to enter the NBA bubble in Orlando and he shares his first impressions of the accommodations and safety measures within the Disney complex.

Terrence Ross showed off the players’ lounge in the NBA Bubble and it looks fantastic

This looks so dope.

Plenty of NBA players have done a lot of complaining about their situation in the league’s Disney World bubble they’re about to be stuck in for the next three months.

Whether it’s been about the food or the rooms, players have had some sort of gripe to go with it.

And, look, when you’re putting your health and well-being on the line in a situation like this while being away from your family for three months, complaints are totally understandable and even valid.

But everything doesn’t seem to be all bad! From a small peek given to us by Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross, things actually seem pretty sweet.

Ross posted a video of the players’ lounge the NBA’s stars will have access to while staying in Orlando. And, fam, it looks absolutely fantastic.

There are gaming stations, comfortable chairs, ping pong tables, arcade games, a pool table and so much more. Just imagine how many hours you could spend in a spot like that.

Who needs to go outside when all of that is available? Sheesh.

Alvin Gentry cleared to join Pelicans at NBA’s restart in Orlando

Moments before the Pelicans’ departure to Orlando on Wednesday, head coach Alvin Gentry received word he was cleared to join them.

Moments before the New Orleans Pelicans boarded the plan to head to the NBA’s bubble in Orlando on Wednesday, head coach Alvin Gentry received word from the league that he would be cleared to join them. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report that Gentry would be cleared.

Prior to Wednesday, the Pelicans had multiple coaches that would not be joining the team in Orlando. Associate head coach Jeff Bdzelik, known as one of the brighter defensive minds in the league, opted to stay in New Orleans due to his age. On Tuesday, assistant Jamelle McMillan also made the decision to remain in Louisiana to remain with his newborn son.

The decision to allow Gentry to join the team sets an interesting precedent for older coaches in the NBA’s restart. Gentry, 65, is one of the handful of coaches who were flagged by the league due to their age. Another high-profile one in Mike D’Antoni, who is four years older than Gentry, will also find out his decision in the immediate future as the Rockets are set to travel to Orlando on Thursday.

[lawrence-related id=24220,24214,24203]