When Did the NBA Bubble Start?
The NBA Bubble started on July 30th, 2020 when the 22 NBA teams that were invited arrived at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Introduction
The NBA bubble, also known as the Orlando bubble, was a controlled environment created by the National Basketball Association (NBA) to protect its players from the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020 offseason. The bubble began on July 7th and ended on October 13th. All games were played at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Only players, essential personnel, and a limited number of guests were allowed inside the NBA bubble. Everyone in the bubble was required to stay within the confines of the Disney campus and follow strict health and safety protocols, including regular testing for COVID-19.
The NBA bubble was successful in preventing any outbreak of COVID-19 among its participants. A total of zero positive tests were recorded during the three-month period.
The First NBA Bubble
The first NBA bubble was during the 1998-99 season. That season, the league was in a lockout and only played 50 games. To make up for lost revenue, the league decided to have a mini-tournament at the end of the season. The tournament was called the NBA Bubble and it featured 8 teams. The teams were the top seeds from each conference and they played each other in a single elimination tournament. The tournament was won by the San Antonio Spurs who went on to win the NBA Finals that year.
The second NBA bubble was during the 2011-2012 season. That season, there was another lockout and the league only played 66 games. The league decided to have another mini-tournament at the end of the season called the NBA Bubble. This time, there were 16 teams in the tournament. The teams were again the top seeds from each conference and they played each other in a single elimination tournament. The tournament was won by the Miami Heat who went on to win the NBA Finals that year.
The Second NBA Bubble
The second NBA bubble started on July 30th 2020, when 22 of the NBA’s teams converged on the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida. The “bubble” refers to the isolation of the NBA players and staff from the outside world in order to protect them from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first NBA bubble was during the 2019-2020 season when the coronavirus pandemic first hit and only lasted for a couple of months. The second NBA bubble is anticipated to last until at least mid-October, when the 2020-2021 season is scheduled to begin.
So far, there have been no positive COVID-19 tests amongst any of the players or staff inside the NBA Bubble.
The Third NBA Bubble
The NBA has seen two prior “bubbles” during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The first was held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, from July 30 to August 14, 2020. The second was held in Chicago, Illinois, from August 27 to September 27, 2020. However, the third NBA bubble is set to begin on December 22, 2020 and end no later than March 4, 2021. This bubble will be held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida once again.
Conclusion
The NBA bubble was a resounding success. It not only allowed the league to finish its season but also proved that the bubble concept can work in other leagues and sports. The NBA should be applauded for its creativity and foresight in creating the bubble and for its dedication to finishing the season.
