There has been a handful of instances recently where players have griped about the lackluster quality of meals being served to them in the NBA’s bubble in Orlando, Fla. Arguably to no surprise, the league has since responded to player criticism of the perceptively questionable food options.
Joe Vardon of The Athletic reports that the NBA has recruited renowned executive chef Shawn Loving to the Walt Disney World Resort campus to make adjustments to the meals provided to players, coaches and team staffs.
Loving comes with solid credentials in the NBA world, having served as chef for both Team USA basketball and the Detroit Pistons.
While Vardon’s article suggests the controversy over meal quality was somewhat overblown, evidence has surfaced that provides some justification for why some players have panned the food in the Orlando bubble.
“The food has been a great help for me trying to cut a few [pounds]. It’s been fitting right in with that plan, so all good, all good,” Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse quipped, as relayed by Vardon.
It also merits noting that a handful of players have complained about what they perceive as substandard housing accommodations at the resorts as well, but some players have pushed back against that notion in response.
Some bumps in the road were expected given the massive undertaking required to restart the season at a centralized location. With the NBA’s resumption of play still tentatively scheduled for July 30 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, it appears the league is being proactive in its efforts to ensure players are as comfortable and well-cared-for as possible.
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