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Even if you’re not into sports, the NBA bubble in Orlando was a desirable epidemiological experience – if you probably had infinite resources and all players willingly agreed to stick to protocols based on our most productive understanding of a viral pandemic. nascent, maybe you Build a really safe environment? Take note, US Government, because so far the answer has been “Yes. ” As of August 19, the NBA officially had no new COVID-19 infections to report after the league restarted after five AND it is with the league that it has to use emergency quarantine protocols for players leaving and traveling. (What have they done for everything from family circle emergencies to lemon and pepper bird wings?). after the COVID -19 epidemic [update]
Traditional media has been internal guests to some extent to document this unprecedented playoff season, and the NBA has relied heavily on Zoom’s access to players for other journalists. Twitter, of course, has also generated an aggregation account that will bring you all the social networks. But almost all of that knowledge about the life of the bubble remains limited: the league has moved press access spaces to a penny, and interviews with players have time constraints (and online PR staff interferes if things get complicated). unwanted territory).
All of this makes the Philadelphia 76ers remain Matisse Thybulle’s existing video diary, a remarkable sight. I’ve never been one to enter YouTube series or personalities, yet their 8 episodes and Welcome To The Bubble count were the must-see party. in the summer.
Thybulle is just a kid by league criteria: a recruit adored through online statistics bosses who appreciate defense, largely unknown along the way, so his technique doesn’t have the polishing of a superstar who started a production space or knowledge used. through the time of a veteran who might be too self-employed. -censor. Instead, he does what we can all do in a rare experiment: Thybulle brings his Canon EOS 6D Mark II with him as he navigates this strange new world, spins the thing, then edits and publishes 10-minute records during the descent. . Time.
In the first few videos, Thybulle demystifies politics and bubble reporting as much as any classic medium. Even though players finish playing early and during games, Welcome To The Bubble shows that they want to stay apart in fixed-position chairs during breaks on the educational field. The Disney Park wristbands that would normally be received temporarily on a Space Mountain trip, instead, help the player’s fitness awareness travel with them seamlessly for instant clearance. And Thybulle guides the public through this process: After reaching the bubble and quarantining themselves in their rooms until passing a consecutive number of COVID-19 tests, players will need to take their temperature daily and scale regularly. in a dance hall for nasal swabs. All this medical context lives in an app (developed with the help of the NBA, just like this new COVID-19 saliva test), which is synchronized with the bracelet that allows fit players to access various games. from the Disney sports complex. Pin testing is faster, less expensive, avoids shortages, and is now FDA cleared
While such granular NBA regulations never allow others in Orlando to live normal circumstances, at the same time they are young men away from their families and living among their peers during an extended era. It can be a fun summer camp for adults during downtime. Thybulle also brings the audience charmingly to this aspect. We see world-class athletes doing very fundamental activities (golf, fishing, corn hollow) for the first time and, fortunately, Thybulle and his teammates aren’t afraid to watch as fans of laughter in front of the camera (despite having enough ammo to break).
Perhaps most appealing of all for this specific moment, Thybulle continues to put pressure on the record as he and his 76ers teammates have genuine conversations about the elephant in the room: race, and specifically how the player members of the NBA can just take advantage. this high-profile climax to spark a genuine repositioning following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other victims of police violence. In televised games and press meetings, NBA stars have been quite articulate and strategic about how to use their time with the media to convey messages about Black Lives Matter or specific incidents (Guardian of ‘Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Paul, for For example, she wrote Breonna Taylor’s Call on her shoe and suit). But Welcome To The Bubbles takes us through candid, behind-the-scenes conversations about why these paintings are vital and what expressive movements and methods can produce the most productive results. The 76ers report that they seek to make their arena a polling station like the Atlanta Hawks, shouting as much as you can imagine about locally owned black businesses and emphasizing education as a first step toward building a “more equitable society. “
With so much attention in the NBA bubble in general, Thybulle’s small puppy assignment inevitably exploded. In later episodes, he talks to the camera about preparing an interview with the New York Times or his participation in The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, for example. . Sixers PR still can’t worry here too, as they are starting to appear elegant introductory graphics and well-edited game sequences as well.
But make no mistake: Thybulle is still the one doing the task (he even shows his edit line in what looks like iMovie). The 76ers media team described the rookie for his photographic prowess last fall, and Thybulle told the New York Times it was something he had been doing for years (his mother let him play with his point-and-shoot camera as a child). So even with a little extra polishing, Thybulle’s personality, attitude and sensibility remain firmly anchored in the middle In the last episode, responds to the fan mail the series has generated, takes the audience to the players’ eating position and still discovers time to annoy teammate Kyle O’Quinn before taking a serve. The sequences added at the end of it, most of the time took place around August 14, before the official start of the playoffs this week.
That’s a smart thing, because it means the world might be able to enjoy one or two more episodes of Welcome To The Bubble before things are said and done. In an effort to keep the bubble as much as possible, under NBA protocols, groups will have to leave the venue within 2 four hours of their official retirement of the season. Later in the day (1p ET). By the time you read this, Thybulle can simply pack his small hotel room and camera and be in a position to leave.
It’s a shame, because there’s probably going to be a lot more to see. When it’s time to playoffs, for example, friends and a circle of family will be able to enter the bubble, expanding the complexity of the NBA epidemiological experience. And as America deals with the demanding situations of next fall, unequivocally connected to COVID-19 (restarting schools, making choices, seeking to restart other sports such as the NFL or school football, etc. ), it would be desirable to listen to the ongoing conversation. this remote environment, so far without a pandemic. At least staying on the stage of a playoff race like no other NBA has noticed (and perhaps sees) would be the biggest time capsule sports enthusiasts can ask for.
So Boston Celtics, if you don’t mind, maybe give the 76ers a few more days for the good of the rest of us? HBO’s Lovecraft Country premiere is delicious, but it would be wonderful to have at least a 10 or 12 season episode for the summer unforeseen rollout.
List symbol via Joe Murphy / NBAE Getty Images
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