Jazz Players Finding Time For Fun In Disney Bubble

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Much has been made of the NBA’s Disney bubble campus over the first week of its existence. The first night players arrived in Orlando, Denver Nuggets guard Troy Daniels created a social media storm after sharing photos of his first meal inside the bubble.  Several Utah Jazz players questioned how long it would take for the food to improve. Now, more than one week into the bubble, Jazz players are finding ways to have fun in their new bubble home.

The Jazz entered the bubble on July 7, and will stay through at least late August. If the team continues to advance in the postseason, they could be in Orlando through early October. With so many days spent away from the comforts of their own home, how are Jazz players staying busy?

“The NBA bubble?” Jazz forward Georges Niang said. “It’s really impressive.”

Best ping pong player in the bubble 👀👀 https://t.co/oAdJEw7iel

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) July 13, 2020

Niang has been sidelined due to a rolled ankle but participated in his first full practice with the team on Thursday. As a result of injury, Niang has spent much of his free time working with team trainers.

“The treatment room has been open a ton,” Niang said. “The training staff has been great.”

Niang is expected to play a bigger role with the team in the absence of Bojan Bogdanovic. The Croatian forward will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing wrist surgery in May. Though the two forward share similar long distant shooting abilities, Niang isn’t trying to replicate Bogdanovic’s production.

“I can only go in there and do what I’m capable of,” Niang warned. “Whatever the team needs me to do.” If that’s to shoot corner threes, or if that’s to get guys open shots, I’m going to do that.”

Jazz Players Having Fun in Bubble

The NBA has provided players with ping pong tables, cornhole, and the opportunity to golf or go fishing. Several NBA players brought elaborate video game setups to pass the time. Despite seven straight days of practice upon arrival, Niang said there was no shortage of fun for Jazz players during their first week in Orlando.

“Obviously we’re stuck in an area, but they provide a ton of activities for us to do,” Niang said. “There’s been a lot of hard work that’s been put into this. People have done a lot of great things to make it feel as close to being at home when we’re not playing basketball.”

Made it to Orlando 📍

What did the guys 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 to have with them in the bubble? 🎮☕️⛳️#RoadToOrlando | @UofUHealth pic.twitter.com/XV8uLXFcQy

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) July 8, 2020

Last week, the Jazz tweeted a video of the items they were bringing to stay busy in Orlando. Among the items were Playstations, Xboxes, and golf clubs. Niang confirmed those items have been put to good use during the team’s time on the Disney campus.

“The pool is open here, and a bunch of us have gone golfing, playing Uno,” Niang said. “A lot of guys are video gamers, I’m sure you see it on social media. I don’t play video games, but I can hear them in the room next to me. All the time yelling, screaming ‘Shoot this guy shoot that guy.’ So we’ve just been playing video games. We have a great camaraderie as a team so hanging out with each other is just like a 112-day road trip.”

The Jazz reopen the NBA season against the New Orleans Pelicans on July 30. The game will be broadcast on TNT and AT&T SportsNet.