As we speak, the NBA is making its final preparations before begin competition at its Orlando campus.
Beginning with the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers at 3:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the league will kick off its exhibition schedule wherein each of the 22 teams involved in the restart will play three games.
Seeding games — of which each team will play eight — begin on July 30.
Ramping up for tip-off on Wednesday, though, on Tuesday, the league unveiled its “Restart Court,” which is the main court where games will be played. Obviously, with the number of contests scheduled, there will be other facilities being used, but the main court will host the marquee matchups and nationally televised contests.
As reported, the league and the players union have launched a joint plan to make social justice initiatives and political expression a part of the competition. The league is permitting players to replace the last name on the bag of their jersey with preapproved messages or expressions and also agreed to include “Black Lives Matter” on the court.
ESPN’s Malika Andrews — who has been in the bubble longer than most other media members — posted photos and video on Twitter of the main court.
It’s obvious that the league put a lot of effort into the decor and presentation of the facility. Any thought of the venue looking anything other than a state of the art has been answered. This isn’t your local YMCA.
As previously reported, the league will mandate social distancing during contests, which explains the spread-out nature of the photographed chairs comprising the bench and other areas surrounding the court.
It actually feels real now, doesn’t it?
