The Boston Celtics are navigating the new normal for life in the NBA’s Walt Disney World Bubble. There are some good things and some not-so-good things making their way to the rumor mill.
With under two weeks remaining until the 2019-20 NBA season resumes, we are getting a taste of what the bubble life has entailed in the two weeks since players began moving into the Walt Disney World campus to complete the suspended campaign. The Boston Celtics–by way of having one of the most outgoing (and talented) rosters–have inevitably found themselves making headlines.
There has been a lot of positives, with Jayson Tatum receiving gifts in bulk from his sponsors, to Kemba Walker declaring himself healthy enough to not be slowed down by the knee injury he suffered back at the beginning of 2020.
On the flip side, we have been given insight into difficult issues that go beyond the hardwood this weekend. Noted Turkish human rights activist and Celtics center Enes Kanter has revealed that he has been shunned by fellow Turkish NBA-ers for speaking out against the current regime in Turkey:
"“What hurts me the most is other Turkish players in the league,” Kanter said. “We have Ersan Ilyasova, we have Cedi Osman in Cleveland, we have Furkan Korkmaz in Philly. Whenever we go against (them) they don’t say a word."
Obviously, these are grown men who can say and act how they want. Still, it’s disappointing that there is such a disconnect since Kanter is doing right by his people and seems to be gaining such little support from his peers.
Interestingly enough, Korkmaz and Ilyasova could be playoff opponents for the Celtics. Korkmaz’ Philadelphia 76ers are the current playoff matchup for the C’s, while any team in the east likely has to go through Ilyasova’s Milwaukee Bucks to reach the NBA Finals.
On the bright side, it seems that Kanter is still enjoying himself in the bubble, being filmed by Tacko Fall racing Marcus Smart and Vincent Poirier in the pool:
.@viinze_17P = Vinnie "Swim" pants now? 🤔😂☘️ (via tackofall99 / IG Live) pic.twitter.com/JuAc2DesBB
— 𝕂𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕚 𝔸. 𝕃𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕤 (@KwaniALunis) July 18, 2020
With everyone having more time to think about things while the nation stays home amidst the coronavirus pandemic, it has brought civil rights to the forefront of this country. With the NBA speaking out against the unjust treatment of black people in America, Kanter is also fighting for the people of his country.
Even if he doesn’t get support from his countrymen, he clearly has the support and camaraderie of his fellow Boston Celtics teammates.