August 24, 2020


 

Another senseless shooting of an unarmed black man was the news I awoke to this morning.  The seven shots Jason Blake took in his back were on everyone’s mind at breakfast.  Black Lives Matter is written on the courts during this restart.  Banners are everywhere, public service announcements are being broadcasted, numerous initiatives are hoping to open our eyes to this other pandemic.  The players kneel during the national anthem, not to protest America, but to bring awareness to the issue.  Still, the shootings continue.  My first game today is with the Milwaukee Bucks, and this act of violence took place about sixty miles south of their home court.

 

During warmups, I could hear players from both teams, the Bucks and Magic, discussing the horrific video they had viewed.  The NBA is about 85 percent black and it was very hard for me to hear their heartfelt discussions and disgust.  I could only sympathize with them, silently.  I wanted them to somehow know that I was aligned in their cause, hoping one day we could all walk in the shoes of another and understand that, although we live in a nation that is built on the concept of us all being created equal,  we are not treated as such.

 

Being as Orlando pulled out a surprise victory in their first game, today’s matchup is not an elimination game.  It is simply one more step to move the Bucks forward into the second round.  Orlando could not compete, as Aaron Gordon, another University of Arizona product, watched from the sideline unable to participate.  I am confident the Magic’s fate will be solidified on Wednesday. And, of course, I was on a hand held camera this game as I will be on the next.  It’s a damn good thing I exercise regularly as having a camera on your shoulder a minimum of seven hours per day can be rather taxing.

 

Between games I received an update from the NBA safety committee regarding the recent changes that I alerted you to earlier. Here is what they had to say about some of the recent changes.

 

Please be advised that outdoor picnic tables have now been set up outside the Visa Grille along the side of the building for on-campus staff (“green” credential holders).  All campus residents remain encouraged to eat meals outdoors (where individuals are not required to maintain 6 feet of distance, unlike during indoor meals, and should instead maintain as much distance as practicable).  As a reminder, everyone should wash or sanitize their hands before and after eating

 

This notification is pretty harmless.  It is sensible and aligns with all the guidelines we have been following from day one, well, day eight when we got out of quarantine.  Except between the hours of 12 and 5:00 pm, it is pretty nice to be able to eat outside.  During those hours the heat and the humidity tend to turn my clothing into sweat absorbers, then I have to put on something else.  I can’t imagine what Florida was like before air conditioning.

 

Now this next notification deals with the gym that I try to utilize daily.  My gym is the Casitas Gym.  The players and NBA team personnel have access to the Destino Gym located in the player’s hotel.

To better structure cleaning times and to enable Disney cast members to enter the staff gyms without coming into contact with Campus residents, the Casitas Gym and Destino Gym will be closed for cleanings by Disney staff during the following windows:

9:00 – 10:15 AM

2:00 – 3:15 PM

7:00 – 8:15 PM

2:00 – 4:00 AM

 

NBA staff and vendors may not access the gym during these periods of time.  In addition, any individual exercising in the gym must leave the gym at the start of the times above to ensure Disney staff are able to thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment as planned.  

Due to limited space, and to promote physical distancing, only 4 people may be present in the gym at any one time.  If you arrive at the gym and there are already 4 other people present, please do not enter and instead return at a later time. 

Consistent with updated standards for health clubs and gyms, as well as CDC guidance and advice from infectious disease experts, everyone must wear a face mask or face covering in the gym unless they are engaged in aerobic exercise (e.g., running on a treadmill or biking vigorously).  For all other exercise in the gym, such as lifting weights, staff must wear a mask.

 

Each person must wipe down any gym equipment (e.g., free weights, exercise equipment, cardio machines) before and after each use.  Disinfectant wipes have been placed throughout the Casitas gym to facilitate this requirement.  If disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer are running low, please be reminded that you may email RestartPPE@nba.com to replenish the supply.

The NBA and Disney will regularly be monitoring the gym areas and promoting compliance with the above requirements. 

It appears yet another restriction has been placed upon us in the gym and that is we are now required to wear a mask unless we are on an aerobic machine.  I don’t know about you but I breathe a lot harder and more often when I am engaged in aerobic exercise opposed to lifting weights.  I don’t understand the logic but I am not going to go against the new policy as we have yet to declare one single case of COVID here in the bubble.  Working out in the gym masked is much better than not being able to work out at all.  It seems we live in a world now where everything is questioned and that is fine, but the guidelines are the guidelines and you can’t argue with success, can you?

After lugging around a camera for over twelve hours it is usually pretty relaxing to go to the back of the bus on the way back to the resort and enjoy a bottle of water or Gatorade, placing one’s mask back on after each sip.  That is no longer possible.

In response to questions from Campus residents, please note that, in order to promote appropriate mask wearing, eating and drinking on the buses on Campus is not permitted.  Campus residents may bring on a bus food and beverages that they intend to consume upon the conclusion of a bus trip; however, given the short length of the bus rides, removing a mask to eat or drink is not permitted on the bus. 

Yes I can bitch about this, but I won’t.  The bubble is ever evolving and we must as well. 

Thankfully, my evening game was another elimination opportunity and the Heat properly disposed of the Pacers from Indiana.  Indiana had another University of Arizona product in TJ McConnell who saw little action, if any, in this game, while the Heat utilized Andre Iguodala as a reserve and never looked at Solomon Hill, two more U of A peeps.  The reason I point out these players is because I covered them when they played their collegiate ball in Tucson. It’s hard to believe I have witnessed their growth from college to the pros and many I first broadcast back in 1994 have come and gone.  I am getting older by the day.  There’s not a thing I can do about it though, is there?

It was a dry bus ride back to the resort after the game. A thirsty, dry bus ride…

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