The Boston Celtics have three full days and two practices in the Disney ‘bubble’ under their belt, and are slowly working their way back into game shape in anticipation of the restart of the 2019-20 NBA season coming at the end of the month.
With the entire team returning negative tests for the coronavirus behind the four-month hiatus and in cautiously optimistic health from top to bottom, expectations are justifiably high within the team for their 2020 title odds in the Orlando-area complex.
On Saturday, the Celtics got an early start to their day with a 9 a.m. practice immediately followed by media availability for head coach Brad Stevens, All-Star forward Jayson Tatum and center Enes Kanter.
Early mornings 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/pvDWwUCDQW
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 11, 2020
The rookies were as ready to go as the veterans, and the mood appeared light as the team continued to shake off the rust of the previous four months.
🍀 The @celtics getting work in on the practice courts in Orlando! #WholeNewGame pic.twitter.com/vCbY8naNkJ
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2020
Though it was clear at least some of the first-year crew had been doing their homework the night before:
Tremont Waters spent his third night in the bubble watching Kemba Walker highlights: pic.twitter.com/jdka4ZjQO6
— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) July 11, 2020
Fourth-year shooting guard Jaylen Brown was drilling half.court shots to set the tone:
.@FCHWPO’s on another level 👀😂💰 pic.twitter.com/lBf4XDrrUb
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 11, 2020
And after practice, All-Star swingman Jayson Tatum tended to some business — a lot of business — in his hotel room:
How big is Jayson Tatum’s hotel room?? pic.twitter.com/0JUYgb40lm
— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) July 11, 2020
And then availed himself of the links at the team’s disposal, one of several activities the Celtics have at their disposal to keep them busy in their down time.
Jayson Tatum already getting a round of golf in: pic.twitter.com/7GASYKWWCO
— Boston.com Celtics News (@BDCCeltics) July 11, 2020
While other players — like renowned gamer Semi Ojeleye — settled into their hotel room to get in some more relaxed forms of entertainment.
Warzone With You // Who’s Got Next? !add !gamertag !next !m13 https://t.co/W3LuS7AVAo
— Semi Ojeleye (@semi) July 11, 2020
Life in the bubble seems to be turning out to be pretty solid so far, with Jaylen Brown, Enes Kanter and other Celtics making a point of noting that they have little to complain about.
Even if the rooms are a little smaller than some former Celtics are accustomed to.
With less than two weeks to go before the team’s first scrimmage on July 24th, it already feels like time is flying by.
And with the path to the Finals as open as it’s been for Boston for the better part of a decade, this could very well be shaping up to be a monumental season in the history of the team for more reasons than the virus that interrupted it.
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