San Antonio Spurs: Gregg Popovich calls NBA bubble “Bootcamp with a Smile”

In an interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta regarding the NBA’s Orlando bubble, San Antonio Spurs head coach had a witty description of the situation.

Few figureheads in professional sports have a way with words like San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich does. The esteemed leader transcends basketball, providing a guiding voice for the country at large. He’s a man of strong values and virtues that’s not afraid to combat the powers that be. The Air Force veteran has done more than most could imagine for his country throughout his life and now, he’s stepping up with the country in flux.

His stature in the pantheon of professional sports made Popovich the perfect man to break down the NBA’s Orlando Bubble. Coach Pop was a guest on the CNN podcast Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. During the conversation, Popovich was asked about the experience of living in the Orlando bubble, coaching in the current political climate and more.

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Pop’s wit was on full display as he described the far extent of the NBA’s efforts to keep the Walt Disney World campus safe. After commending both the NBA and Disney, Coach Pop described it as “bootcamp with a smile,” which seemed like an amusing perspective on the situation. Even though the NBA has done everything in its power to make the bubble comfortable, it’s also very strict.

Without their ‘Magic Band,’ an electronic wristband that those on the NBA campus are required to wear, players and coaches cannot explore the campus. They are tracked at all times in case a COVID-19 outbreak occurs on-campus and they must track their vitals before exiting their rooms each day. If protocols are broken, they must quarantine in their room for an extended period.

Still, it’s all for the ultimate cause of competing for a championship. Now that Pop’s time in the bubble is over, he can rest and prepare for the Spurs’ many offseason decisions. The primary task at hand, however, is preparing to be a teacher. Popovich noted that he’s going to be doing some homeschooling with his young granddaughter.

There have been positive signs to indicate that Coach Pop will be back with the Spurs next season, which bodes well for a team trying to right the ship after missing the 2020 playoffs.