DETROIT (WXYZ) — The NBA playoffs are currently being played in the 'bubble,' a term for how all the players and staff of the remaining teams are away from the general public at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
The Pistons were not invited, as their record at the time of the shutdown forced their season to come to a halt, without direction on when they might be able to get together as a team again.
In mid-September, they will finally be able to reunite on the floor, in their own 'bubble' in Detroit.
The NBA is allowing the eight teams who missed the postseason to create the same bubble atmosphere at their home practice venues and will allow them to host scrimmages and full team practices.
This will be the first time that Pistons head coach Dwane Casey will get back into the gym with his full unit, and while the practices are not mandatory, Casey says he expects most of his roster to participate, especially the younger guys.
"It's going to be great for us, just the competition, the guys have been working hard, I've been really impressed with the intensity, the strength and conditioning programs, throughout these last couple months," Casey said.
Blake Griffin has been in and out of the facility training as he's back to 100 percent with his health. Casey says that he doesn't expect him or Derrick Rose to participate in the bubble, but they expect to compete whenever the next season gets started.
"We're coming in to compete, Blake's coming in to the same role, the same butt-kicking role he was in when he took off, there's no stepping back from he or Derrick, as far as their role to come in to set the tone to compete to win," Casey added.
