“Guys are Getting Kinda Antsy”: Lakers’ Danny Green Details How Being Inside the Orlando Bubble is Affecting Teammates

The Los Angeles Lakers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference a few days ago. This was a result of the outstanding performance the team displayed before the season was suspended on March 31. However, they have been quite laid back in the past couple of days, which has resulted in them losing the games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers.

The season was suspended after Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz tested positive for the deadly Coronavirus. However, a solution to resume the season was brought about. The NBA allowed 22 teams to come to the Walt Disney World Resort and continue the season at the ESPN Sports Complex. This came to be known as the Orlando Bubble in which teams have to follow proper Safety Protocols, including regular testing and social distancing measures. They have no physical contact with the outside world and have to stay away from family and friends.

Lakers’ guard discloses cons of the Bubble

In a press conference, Danny Green is asked various questions about Lakers. Other than that, other questions that hit closer to home like about families and friends. One question is whether the players have gotten used to the bubble or not by now, or if there are still some aspects that will never feel comfortable.

To this, Green says,” We’re in our habitat. We have our habits every day so it’s kind of become routine of the daily testing every day, going through practice with them. So we have adjusted in that sense. But for it to be easy… I wouldn’t say that. “ He claims that even though they have adjusted to the idea but it’s definitely still not easy.

“I think day by day, I think for some guys the longer they are away from their families or their kids, it gets a little tougher,” emphasized Danny.

He talks about how the trash-talking between players are all in the competitive nature but,” I see day by day it’s kind of wearing on guys and guys are getting kinda antsy wondering when can they get their families here, who can they bring, how many people. They’re just kind of counting down the days for that to happen”. 

When can families finally join the bubble?

A reporter asks whether they’ve been given any information about the families coming to the Bubble. Green says,” No, they gave us an estimated date after the first round of the playoffs. They haven’t given a number, I think it’s three or four at the most, maybe. So we’re just kind of learning and going on the fly”. 

A reporter also asks what do the players do to escape other than play. Green mentions fishing, golfing, bowling, and other facilities made available in the Bubble. However, he again talks about family and says, “But the biggest thing is social media and FaceTime. The technology we have now allows us to be close to our families, even though we’re not there.”

He also talks about his personal experience, “I would talk to them every day via phone or FaceTime. See our kids, our dogs, or our family members. That’s the only thing that’s pretty much helping us now. “

With each passing day, it definitely is tougher for all the players, but they all know what they have to focus on and what the bigger picture of them being there really is.