LeBron James on kids not visiting NBA bubble: ‘There’s nothing for them to do’
The NBA allowed families to visit players in Orlando during the playoffs, but the James' children have stayed in L.A.
NBA star LeBron James said that there is a specific reason that his three children haven’t come to visit him inside the NBA Bubble. “There’s nothing for them to do,” he said in a press conference.
The NBA allowed players’ families to visit during the playoffs, and while the Los Angeles Lakers’ power forward’s wife, Savannah, has come down to Orlando, their children have remained in Los Angeles.
“It’s not a kid-friendly place,” said James.
“My kids are too adventurous, and they love to do so much stuff,” James said. “There’s nothing for them to do here. Go outside, come back in, go outside, come back in. They can stay in L.A. They’re great.”
Players and coaches housed in the bubble due to COVID-19 concerns have access to pools and gyms, as well as golf courses and fishing expeditions. But, the surrounding Disney World properties remain closed to the general public and the bubble’s famous residents.
Read More: Byron Scott says NBA players need to advocate for Black coaches
James has repeatedly stated that playing inside the bubble creates a “weird dynamic.”
“I definitely love playing in front of the fans,” he said in early August. “The fans are what make the game. Without the fans, I wouldn’t be who I am today. To all the fans out there that come watch me play, I miss you guys, and hopefully, someday I can get back to that interaction.”
Having families back in the building has been a welcome addition for the superstar.
Read More: NBA star Donovan Mitchell gives $45,000 to scholarship fund for Jacob Blake’s sons
“It’s definitely always great to see familiar faces, people that you know that have been there on the grind with you throughout postseason runs as well,” James said. “But just having some of our family here and having some of our Laker personnel in the front office and things of that nature, it’s great for us.”
He has noted the mental challenge that exists for many NBA stars playing inside the bubble.
Read More: NBA returns Saturday, social justice initiatives will turn arenas into 2020 voting locations
Los Angeles Clippers’ small forward Paul George claimed recently that the quarantine-created bubble created, for him, anxiety and depression.
“The bubble got the best of me,” he said last month, “I was just in a dark place.”
Have you subscribed to theGrio’s “Dear Culture” podcast? Download our newest episodes now!
