Mavs Weekend Practice Report: For Families, Bubble is 'Like Outer Space'

The Dallas Mavericks on Saturday engaged in their customary three-hour practice session in the NBA's Orlando Bubble, this time a morning workout that coach Rick Carlisle describes as "very productive.''

Mavs new warm-up routine in the bubble... Spikeball. pic.twitter.com/xponFyKhbN
— Scott Tomlin (@scootertomlin) July 18, 2020

Part of that productivity, of course, is the result of players and coaches bonding together. But that doesn't make all of the relationship issues easy.

"(Daughter) Abby is 16,'' Carlisle said, detailing how this COVID-19-forced time is difficult for families. "She understands. But she called me yesterday and said, 'I love you and I miss you.'

"They say 'Space is good for relationships','' Rick quipped, "but this is more like 'Outer Space.'''

Veteran Seth Curry also talked of the challenges of being away from family. Curry, though, is clearly focused on contributing everything he can to the 40-27 Mavs' push to the NBA Playoffs and beyond. He mentioned on Saturday that he's been actively nudging the Mavs coaching staff to let the team engage more and more in 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 work, his mindset being that the realism of those settings will help him quickly return to where he belongs as a shooter.

And where is that?

"He's a historically elite shooter in this league,'' Carlisle said of Curry.

There is still much to do before Dallas' re-opener against Houston in the bubble on July 31. Among those things? The paperwork and whatever else involved in getting roster members Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Trey Burke into work. The coach cited "logistic'' issues there, declining to comment further due to CBA rules.

All involved are still working out details for the first of three scrimmages, July 23 against the Lakers. Four 10-minute quarters? T and radio plans?

"Anything is in play, which is one of the things I love about it,'' said Carlisle about Life in The Bubble - though the family separation isn't one of those things.