Analysis: Early returns say so far, so good for NBA bubble

NBA’s bubble remains intact. extraordinary health protocols put into place to try and save this season seem to be working. mission shared by coaches and players to use ir platform and continue conversation about racial injustice is off to a strong start.

Through four days, here’s just some of what has happened at Walt Disney World: LeBron James had a game-winner for Los Angeles Lakers, T.J. Warren put his name all over Indiana record book with a 53-point outburst, Houston and Dallas combined for more than 300 points in a game, defending champion Toronto Raptors came out flying and Joel Embiid had a 41-point, 21-rebound night — in a loss.

And don't forget symmetry: Rudy Gobert was first player to test positive for coronavirus, so naturally, it made sense that Utah centre was first player to score when pandemic shutdown was officially over.

If that wasn’t eugh, quality of play is so good that it’s almost like NBA hadn’t stopped playing for 4-1/2 months. Shooting percents and scoring avers, through first four days anyway, are basically right where y were when season was suspended because of coronavirus pandemic on March 11. And re has been a ton of down-to--wire drama, with eight of 19 games played through Sunday decided by five points or less.

“In all honestly, it’s better than I was expecting ... talking about all teams in general,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. “Everybody is much crisper. y look more in rhythm than I ever expected teams would be. Wher it’s best team with highest seed or or people like us who are just trying to get into playoffs, everybody’s a lot sharper than I would have expected.”

If season ended Sunday night, Popovich and Spurs — whose playoff chances were in serious trouble when season was stopped — would be in a play-in series for a chance at . 8 spot in Western Conference. And in Eastern Conference, re would be a first-round rematch from a year ago with Raptors taking on Orlando Magic; y’re both on five-game winning streaks, and Magic are on best scoring roll in history of ir franchise.

For as much as has been made about difficulties of being in a bubble and away from families, friends and freedom of movement, turns out, re might be some advants to this thing.

“Seriously, it’s a great st to play,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said. “re’s t a lot of distractions. It’s same court every night, so you get your shooting depth perception and all of that. It’s pure basketball. So, you see some of talents se guys have are coming out.”

numbers inside bubble are ridiculous.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, reigning MVP and probable winner of award again this year, had 36 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists for Milwaukee in Bucks’ first real game in bubble. How did he follow that up? Try 36 points again, 18 rebounds and eight assists in Bucks’ loss to Houston on Sunday night.

Portland’s Damian Lillard had 30 points and 16 assists in a loss to Boston on Sunday. Kyle Lowry had 33 points and 14 rebounds in Toronto’s win over Lakers. Dallas’ Luka Doncic is averaging a triple-double in his two bubble games. Rockets beat Mavs 153-149 in overtime Friday and n tried 61 3-pointers to tie an NBA regulation-game record Sunday.

On top of all that, re’s messaging — “Black Lives Matter” on court, “Black Lives Matter” on shirts that most players and coaches have worn as teams kneel toger for national anms pregame, way coaches like Popovich turn ordinary pregame questions into opportunities to educate about racism. He was asked Sunday if Marco Belinelli was playing; Popovich spent next 3 minutes and 21 seconds to speak about how Black people in rth Carolina were required to pass a literacy test to vote but white people were t.

And n he answered question: “Marco Belinelli is out tonight,” Popovich said.

So far, so good.

On every level, pretty much, or than news that arrived early Monday about Jonathan Isaac and how Orlando forward tore ACL in his left knee — an injury that would likely put all of next season, if it happens, into question for a big part of Magic future.

rust, whatever re was for most players, seems gone. Playoffs are just two weeks away, and momentum already seems to be building.

“I think it’s only going to get better,” D’Antoni said. “I think playoffs are going to be terrific. And it’s a great setting.”