how do nba teams travel

How Do NBA Teams Travel and Who Pays for Hotel Rooms?

Tim Crean started writing about sports in 2016 and joined Sportscasting in 2021. He excels with his versatile coverage of the NFL and soccer landscape, as well as his expertise breaking down sports media, which stems from his many years downloading podcasts before they were even cool and countless hours spent listening to Mike & The Mad Dog and The Dan Patrick Show , among other programs. As a longtime self-professed sports junkie who even played DII lacrosse at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, Tim loves reading about all the latest sports news every day and considers it a dream to write about sports professionally. He's a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan from Western New York who mistakenly thought, back in the early '90s, that his team would be in the Super Bowl every year. He started following European soccer — with a Manchester City focus — in the early 2000s after spending far too much time playing FIFA. When he's not enjoying a round of golf or coaching youth soccer and flag football, Tim likes reading the work of Bill Simmons, Tony Kornheiser, Chuck Klosterman, and Tom Wolfe.

Published 07 Dec 2019

LeBron James traveling to the ESPY awards.

The NBA of the 21st-century offers fans a more candid look at the players and the product than nearly any other era of the game. Fans can see what a player does before the game, during the game, and after the game thanks to social media and expanded television coverage. One aspect of the NBA that might remain a mystery to fans, however, is how NBA teams travel to every game.

NBA players travel across the country, but those who are not in the know may not know what this entails as they do so.

Home games allow the players to get to where they need to be on their own. Players might arrive in fancy cars or beat-up old ones, depending on is driving. In bigger markets, a player might take more extreme measures to get to the game. Kobe Bryant reportedly took a helicopter to some games to avoid the traffic down below. When you make eight-figures a year, the options are endless.

Home games supply the players with a proper routine that allows them to get to every game at the same time and do everything they need in the comfort of home. Because of this, the home-court advantage doesn’t just apply to crowd noise and location. The entire lead-up to the game is different than a road trip.

How do NBA teams travel to away games?

The NBA may be full of high-flyers, but this doesn’t mean they can take off in Sacramento and land in New York. In prior eras, players had to wait in airports and fly commercially unless their owners had another way to do so.

Now, chartering private jets to get from point A to point B is the norm, and the jets come decked out in luxury that is made for these larger-than-life people aboard.

The Sacramento Kings, for example, recently rented a private jet that is owned by rap superstar Drake as they traveled overseas to India . The plane, called “Air Drake,” is filled with custom features that reportedly cost the rapper $185M.

It is a Boeing 767, but a look inside shows that this is no passenger liner. The plane is filled with lounge seats and tables where the players could stretch their legs and relax instead of a squeeze behind seats that people two-feet-smaller than them struggle to fit in.

While other planes may not be quite as fancy, the planes that the players are taking to games are nicer than a commercial flight, and owners are expected to get them to every game in style.

Food and comfort

While the owners are the ones who are supposed to get players around the country, their responsibility does not end there. Players need to eat, and while they all can afford to eat on the road, the team is the one who supplies the funds for meals.

Certainly, if a player wanted to live the high-life and eat at a fine-dining establishment they could go out of pocket, but stingier players can stretch their $133 per diem to not only help feed them but get some pocket money, as well.

Owners also provide the lodging for the players, and this means putting them in four and five-star hotels. With one of the greatest unions in the world behind them, players have ensured that even when they are on the road in a grueling schedule, they are afforded every luxury within reason.

Not only do their hotels meet this, but players who need to get to the game are also afforded luxury buses or other vehicles to help get them there in style.

Life on the road for an NBA player can be tough, but with chartered flights, nice hotels, and even a little bit of lunch money to hold them over, the road life in the NBA has some perks. And in the end, all of the expenses fall in the lap of the owners , not that most of them have any trouble paying.

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How do NBA teams travel?

How do NBA teams travel? Every NBA team plays at least 82 games during a season, a number that goes over 100 if we include the preseason games and potential playoff games. In half of these games, every team plays on the road which means that each team takes around 100 flights each season.

The schedule is created in a way that the teams play the division rivals more than the teams from the other conference mainly to reduce the flying time, but still, there is a lot of time in the air for every player.

To makes things even worse, the teams often take the flights to a road game right after they have finished a game in their city, which means that they arrive late in other cities that are often in a different time zone.

NBA teams spend more time at cruising altitude than teams in any other professional league. The jet lag from traveling to 41 road games during the regular season may be really difficult.

Why NBA teams usually have a worse record on road is not as much as because of the fans in the arena but to the traveling process. Each time during the regular season goes on a tour that lasts a week with the team traveling from town to town, which sometimes makes the players forget where they are when they wake up in the morning.

The NBA travel schedule, with travel across four time zones, is as difficult as it comes. Probably, it is the worst when teams play back-to-back road games.

NFL teams routinely travel as far, but only play once a week with only eight or nine road games within a regular season and most of their games are played on Sundays.

MLB teams play more often, actually double as much as the NBA teams but spend four to five days in each city, making for fewer miles traveled. NBA teams play , on average, slightly over three games a week over a 26-week regular season. And they go far, with most teams traveling well over 40,000 miles over the regular season.

Knowing that there are many players in the league who are there for numerous years, the number of flying hours of an NBA veteran is close to an airline employee.

Given the fact that the teams need their players in the best possible physical shape, they do all in their power to make the traveling as comfortable as possible.

The players usually skip the regular airport control and do not wait in lines to get on their plane.

In 2015, the NBA and Delta Air Lines Inc struck a deal in which 27 of the 30 NBA teams would be carried by their chartered jets specifically fitted out to host NBA players.

Delta Air Lines Inc. started using Boeing 757s under a tentative agreement for NBA charters, with almost 50 percent more cabin space than the usual planes.

The planes that NBA teams are using, usually feature 54 leather business-class seats with as much as 5 feet of pitch or the distance from a spot on one row to the same place on the next one. That’s about twice as much as the industry standard and accommodates NBA players who average 6 feet, 7 inches. The seats swivel, so players can twist to chat or play cards.

It’s also customary for sports stars to get extra attention on charters, with crews ready to provide a coach’s favorite drink or a player’s food preferences.

The A319 that Delta has been using in the pro sports team airliner segment is the smallest of the VIP airliners in the space. NBA squads usually fly with about 50 players , staff, reporters, and guests.

The Miami Heat , Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets are the only teams not covered by the agreement. The Heat and Rockets each use different charter companies while billionaire Mark Cuban’s Mavericks fly in their own 757.

Knowing how many flights the NBA teams have taken, of course, there have been some minor incidents.

In 1960, the Lakers narrowly averted being part of a major air disaster when their DC-3 charter crashed in an Iowa cornfield. Nobody on the plane was hurt. The Lakers were coming home from a game in St. Louis when about 10 minutes into the flight the generator in the team’s DC-3 charter failed, leaving the pilots without lights, heat, navigation devices, and radio power.

Unable to return back to Lambert Field in St. Louis because of the number of planes backed up over the airport, the pilots continued, hoping to navigate their way towards Minneapolis by starlight. They lost course, and soon had serious worries about fuel. Fortunately, the plane landed safely and no one was injured.

In 2017, Oklahoma City Thunder’s plane hit a bird on 30,000 feet leaving the nose of a charter plane left with a massive dent.

Last season, the Utah Jazz plane was forced for an emergency landing. Players and staff of NBA team Utah Jazz were left “shaken, but unharmed” after a bird strike forced the plane they were on to make an emergency landing.

The travel party had been heading to the team’s next game against the Memphis Grizzlies on a chartered flight but, just minutes into the journey, the decision was made to turn back for Salt Lake City Airport. The bird strike had caused a fire in at least one of the engines.

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NBA Team Planes Unveiled – Does The NBA Fly Private?

Last Updated on: 23rd November 2023, 07:55 pm

Have you ever wondered what traveling like an NBA player is like? Get ready to soar through the skies in this eye-opening article about NBA team planes.

Find out if the NBA truly flies private or takes commercial flights and discover the different types of planes owned or chartered by teams.

From luxurious accommodations to behind-the-scenes insights, this is your ticket to the fascinating world of NBA team travel.

So grab your boarding pass and join us on this exclusive journey.

Do NBA Teams Have Their Own Planes?

Yes, some NBA teams own their planes for travel . While not all teams own their planes, every NBA team can access private planes for the regular season and playoffs.

Teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets operate Boeing 767 aircraft. Some teams, like the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets, have different arrangements and use charter companies for travel. The Detroit Pistons have their plane named ‘Roundball One’.

Generally, larger and financially robust teams like the Lakers, Celtics, Nets, and Knicks have the resources to purchase and maintain their planes. However, newer teams like the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz have also made recent plane purchases.

The NBA has an arrangement with Delta where they own 757 aircraft operated by the airline. Overall, the ownership of planes among NBA teams varies, with some teams relying on chartered services.

What Airplanes Do NBA Teams Own Or Charter?

NBA teams have a variety of airplanes or private jets that they either own or charter for their travel needs:

Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
New York Knicks
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors
Washington Wizards
Oklahoma City Thunder
Phoenix Suns
San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers
Milwaukee Bucks
Los Angeles Clippers

Inside the Luxurious Accommodations of NBA Team Planes

As you step onto an NBA team plane, you’ll be amazed by the luxurious accommodations that await you.

The Lakers, Celtics, and other NBA teams spare no expense in providing their players with the utmost comfort during their travels. Here’s what you can expect inside:

Spacious seating : Sink into plush leather seats that offer ample legroom for a relaxed journey.
Entertainment systems : Indulge in the latest movies, TV shows, and games on large personal screens.
Gourmet dining : Enjoy a delectable selection of meals prepared by top chefs, catering to all dietary preferences.

These accommodations ensure that players can rest, unwind, and arrive at their destination feeling refreshed and ready to perform.

From the moment you step onboard, you’ll be enveloped in luxury that reflects the high standards of NBA travel.

Do Some NBA Players Have Their Own Private Jets?

Yes, some NBA players do own their own private jets and do not fly commercial flights.

Notable examples include Michael Jordan, who owns a Gulfstream G550, and Magic Johnson, with a Gulfstream G-III. LeBron James is also mentioned among those who have the means to fly private, indicating that he may own a private jet as well .

Sports pays well!

These private jets are symbols of wealth and status, and only a select few athletes have the financial capacity to afford them .

So there you have it, the truth behind NBA team planes. While not all teams own their aircraft, they can access private planes for travel.

Some teams, like the Lakers and Celtics, have the luxury of owning their planes, while others opt for chartering through airlines or charter companies.

Regardless of ownership, NBA players and staff can travel in style and comfort as they jet off to their next game.

How Often Do NBA Players Travel?

Post by: Hoops Addict
Last updated on: August 4, 2023

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The life of celebrities, including NBA players, is pretty much an open book for their fans. Their social media accounts provide snapshots of their lifestyles, and this information is readily consumed by their followers. One thing that remains largely a mystery, though, is about bouncing from city to city all over the United States (and one city in Canada). How often do NBA players travel ? Do they fly, ride the bus, or any other means of transportation? Buckle up because this article answers most of your questions about being on the road as an NBA player.

Are NBA Players the Most Traveled?

Without a doubt, the NBA and its players are the most traveled out of everyone involved in professional sports. Each NBA team theoretically plays 41 games away from home, and many of these places have different time zones. Each team also has to play the Raptors up in Toronto, so they travel to a different country just to play basketball!

Constant trips are exhausting for many players. Because of the chaotic nature of the NBA schedule, teams frequently have long road trips on the opposite coast. The players may end up not sleeping in their own beds for a couple of weeks! Back-to-backs on long flights with multiple hours of time zone difference are frequently used to cram 41 games in, so the players are often on the road.

To make up for it, these players get the best treatment boarding on chartered planes, five-star hotels, and luxury buses to take them there. Still, constant travel can take its toll. Compromised hydration is a common effect of airplane travel, and switching through time zones may cause jet lag and disorientation. This is why road teams often lose to home teams, especially in the tail end of a back-to-back.

How Much Do NBA Players Travel?

The NBA schedule is often set before the start of the new season. NBA teams play 82 games (unless lockouts and other stuff are going on), 41 games at home, and 41 games on the road. Therefore, how long are NBA players away from home? Since the NBA season is around six months, that means players are away half the time, approximately three months, and probably more.

However, the NBA has visited Mexico City in recent years, and teams play regular season games there. One team is assigned as the “home” team, which means they are still traveling while technically playing a “home” game. That’s how much travel the NBA players get.

Because of their proximity to the opposite squad, certain teams enjoy better travel schedules. Examples are the Lakers versus the Clippers and the Knicks versus the Nets. Even yet, when a Los Angeles team plays a game in New York (or vice versa), the visiting squad must travel roughly 2,500 miles on a five-hour flight to make it happen!

Now, here’s a question: Do NBA players drive to games when they are at home? Yes, they mostly do. The majority of players do not live near arenas, which means they also have to travel by car (or any form of transportation) to get to games.

Well, of course, unless you’re Kobe Bryant, you can charter a helicopter to take you to games. If you did not know already, Bryant often took chopper rides from his Orange County home to the Staples Center in Los Angeles to avoid the dreaded LA traffic. If Kobe chose to drive, that’s nearly a 100-mile roundtrip and possibly eight-hour traffic just to get there.

How Long are NBA Players Away from Home?

Since the season lasts a little over six months, from late October to mid-April, it’s safe to say that players are away from home more than half the time. That’s because NBA teams often travel to other cities days in advance. Then, there is the All-Star weekend in February, and many players participate in the events featured in the midseason classic or simply go there to support teammates.

Other than the regular season games, there is the play-in tournament and the playoffs. 16 out of the 30 teams, eight from each conference, play in the postseason, which extends the time the players are away from home. The two teams that play until June would have 100 games under their belts and possibly four to six months of being on the road. That’s a long time and should give the fans something to think about!

Do NBA Teams Fly on Private Planes?

Yes, they do! That is certainly the norm, except when they are playing teams nearby. In that event, they probably ride the team bus, which is not bad in itself. Unless their owners possessed a private jet, players in the past had to sit in airports and fly commercial. Now, they fly on private planes, either chartered or owned by the team.

Not all NBA owners have their own jets, so how do teams handle airline travel? Well, back in 2015, the National Basketball Association and Delta Air Lines Inc. reached an agreement after which 27 of the 30 NBA teams would use Delta’s chartered jets that were outfitted to accommodate NBA players. Delta uses the Boeing 757s which are bigger than most planes.

The only teams that don’t need to be in this deal are the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Miami Heat. The Rockets and the Heat hired other companies, while Mavericks owner Mark Cuban owns a private Boeing 757 plane.

The NBA’s planes typically have 54 leather business-class seats with up to 5 feet of space between a passenger’s seat in one row and the corresponding seat in the row behind it. That should comfortably accommodate NBA players since the room is twice as much as the industry standard.

The seats rotate, which adds a nice touch, not to mention the fact that it allows the players to talk or play a little bit of poker or blackjack if they want. These charter flights will also provide drinks and food, often the favorite of the coach or the superstars.

If you’re wondering why the planes have 54 seats, that’s because the teams travel with the coaching and training staff, maybe even with guests and family. Having that many seats should provide plenty of space for everyone.

What NBA Players Travel the Most?

There is really no precise way to answer this question but through some logic and a lot of assumptions. LeBron James probably has the unofficial record for all-time, but since he was on the shelf for many games last season, he probably isn’t anywhere near that now.

For reference, there are only 5 players who played in all 82 games last season. There’s a good chance that one of these five– Kevon Looney, Deni Avdija, Dwight Powell, Saddiq Bey, and Mikal Bridges– holds the distinction.

From there, it’s easy to figure out who. Avdija and Bey did not make the playoffs, while Bridges got eliminated in the second round. Powell’s Mavericks were handed a Conference Finals exit by Looney’s Warriors, who, in turn, went on to win the NBA Finals. Therefore, it’s probably Kevon Looney who traveled the most out of all NBA players last season based solely on the number of games played.

Do NBA Player’s Wives Travel with the Team?

Almost everything in the NBA is on a case-to-case basis. Many NBA players’ significant others choose to accompany them on road trips, but others would rather stay home, especially if they have kids. The reasons for this are numerous, but they all boil down to a demanding schedule, complex logistics, and just the overall grind needed for travel.

If a wife, girlfriend, or anyone from a player’s family choose to travel with the team, they will pay for their own expenses. (Or at least, expect the player who brought them along to do so.) The team won’t cover their travel, food, and lodging, so that’s a consideration.

The best explanation for this is the management of people on the trip. Even if an NBA club had unlimited funds, it would be impossible to arrange for each player’s wife, fiancée, or girlfriend to fly in for every home game and stay at a hotel with the team.

On top of that, they could not accommodate every player’s family on a flight, so the scheduling itself will be very complex. As a general rule for NBA teams, an NBA player’s wife or girlfriend who desires to accompany their man on a trip will have to pay for it herself.

Do NBA Players Pay For Travel and Food?

No, they typically don’t. The responsibility for transporting the players across the country and providing the money for their meals is on the owners. However, it’s not as lavish as someone would think, especially if the team is on the road. But yes, there are times when the players pay for their own food.

How? Well, the NBA players are mostly grown men, so the team can’t corral them in and force them to eat food they don’t like. This shouldn’t be a problem during home games because teams can just have someone cater food, especially for their players. Although it’s not entirely impossible, the logistical difficulty increases when the team is on the road.

Hence, all NBA players receive $133 as a daily allowance . Players are given $24 for breakfast, $37 for lunch, and $72 for dinner, which is the most of any major sport in North America. It was all made possible by the National Basketball Players Association, which strongly lobbied for the current per diem allowance in 2017.

Interestingly, the players don’t need that money because teams already prepare food for them, just in case. As mentioned, it’s not like the food prepared at home games, but it’s still more than enough for everyone. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruits, yogurt, and protein bars are all commonly accessible. What’s more, it’s not unusual for visiting teams to have a feast prepared for the team after games through a catering service.

For many players, eating the food provided by the team is an easy way to save additional money. This is beneficial, especially for the players on 10-day or two-way contracts who make way less than the established players. Of course, some may still choose to dine out whenever they want, but if they go over the allowance, they will be paying for their meals out of their own pockets.

Wrapping Things Up: How Often Do NBA Players Travel?

The NBA is the most-traveled sports league in the world by a wide margin. The players are often out on the road, possibly longer than half the season. The likelihood is even greater if a team makes the playoffs or plays in the NBA Finals in June!

Do the players pay for travel , and what modes of transportation do they usually use? No, the players do not play for travel as this will be shouldered by the team. And depending on the location of the next road opponent, NBA players travel by chartered flights and team buses. Can you imagine the toll it takes on someone’s body to travel that much?

To make up for all the beating their bodies take, teams accommodate the players in four or five-star hotels. They board the best luxury buses to take them from point A to point B, and the team is also responsible for their meals. On the road, players have a $133 per diem allowance that should be enough to take them through the day as long as there are no room services or trips to an expensive restaurant.

Now, back to the question, how often do NBA players travel ? There really is no definite answer, but it’s certainly a lot. Theoretically, NBA players are away from home half the time, but they could easily be out on the road for two weeks, especially if they’re on a trip on the opposite coast. NBA players earn a lot of money, but the grueling amount of travel they do is definitely not for everyone.

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Hoops Addict was created to help basketball fans of all ages learn more about the sport and find the best basketball gear to improve their ability to hoop. He has been a huge basketball fan for decades, watching thousands of basketball games through the years to learn the ins and outs of the game.

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What's behind the NBA's new focus on traveling, and how players and teams are adjusting

NEW YORK -- Before the New York Knicks hosted the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday afternoon, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was asked about the NBA's emphasis on enforcing traveling this season.

"I'm all for it," Thibodeau said.

Over the ensuing 36 hours, the Knicks were hit with six violations in a blowout loss to the Mavericks before committing another eight -- the most called on any team in a single game since 2010, according to Elias Sports Bureau research -- during Sunday's 91-82 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers .

But it was a traveling call Thibodeau believed wasn't called on Cavs guard Darius Garland that landed the coach a technical foul late in the fourth quarter.

"Obviously there's an emphasis on it by the league," Thibodeau said postgame. "I think [the enforcement] is good, for the most part. But I think you have to be consistent in the way in which you call it.

"If it's tight for one team, it's got to be tight for the other team."

Neither side was happy with the way Sunday's game was called. Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff echoed his New York counterpart after the Cavs were called for five travels.

"To be honest with you, every game could be called like this," Bickerstaff said after holding back a smile. "But it's not. So when it is, it makes it difficult to figure out what exactly we're doing and how we're going to do it."

Knicks forward Julius Randle , meanwhile, said he had never experienced such a game throughout his nine-year NBA career.

"I'm not saying they're wrong," Randle said. "I'm not saying they're the wrong calls. It's just, I've never seen it."

While Sunday's game might have been an extreme example -- New York and Cleveland's 13 combined travels is the most for an NBA game this season and the most since March 2007, according to ESPN Stats & Information research -- the league has seen a dramatic increase in both traveling and carrying violations in recent weeks.

October saw 1.7 travels called per game, according to analysis by ESPN's Kevin Pelton. That number doubled in November. (During the 2021-22 season, there were 1.26 travels called per game, the lowest frequency dating back to 1996-97, the first year that play-by-play data is available).

What has been even more dramatic is the increase in carrying and palming calls. In October, not a single carry was called. In November, there were 44 -- 43 were called across the entire 2021-22 season. Six palming violations in October were followed by 57 being called in November -- 67 such calls were made across all of last season.

The violations have played a part in the leaguewide offensive rating going from 112 points per 100 possessions in October to 111.3 in November, as opposed to offense typically increasing over the course of the season.

And calls have been immune to situation, score and stardom. Shortly after Thibodeau received the technical Sunday, Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell was called for a travel a few feet away from the Knicks bench. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was called for a travel on a potential winning 3-point attempt in the final seconds against Dallas on Tuesday.

"If we're going to call that now," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after that 116-113 loss to the Mavericks, "we've got to call that all the time."

Despite frustrations aired across the league, the NBA is trying to do exactly that.

Each preseason, the league releases points of emphasis -- made available not only to the referees, but to the teams and media -- outlining a new focus in rules enforcement. In recent years, the target has been opening up the game to be played in a more free-flowing fashion. First was an emphasis on freedom of movement, cutting down on defenders clutching and grabbing on the perimeter. Then came eliminating "non-basketball moves" that players such as Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden had honed into a science to draw fouls.

For Monty McCutchen, the NBA's senior vice president of referee development and training, tackling traveling is the next step in an ongoing quest to change how NBA basketball is officiated.

"We take direction from our stakeholders," McCutchen says. "I think that [offensive players'] footwork had gotten to where the stakeholders had realized ... when you have a game that's played in space with highly skilled people and then you turn around on top of that and give them the advantage of extra footwork, it's virtually impossible to guard people."

McCutchen says the free-flowing nature and spacing of the modern NBA has provided an opportunity for referees to focus on players shifting their pivot foot when attacking defenses, adding that the league has studied data that shows missing such calls leads to additional defensive fouls because it creates an advantage for offensive players to exploit.

"Our concentration was on defensive players because that's where most of the problems came from. We had to grow and evolve with the game," McCutchen says.

"We've been harping on it and harping on it [with our referees]: You must then find the legal pivot foot and then you must either see a legal step back or a legal dribble before transitioning your focus to defensive players.

"We're doing a much better job of this and, thus, you're seeing an increase in violations."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kevin Pelton (@kpeltoncharts)

Curry, for his part, echoed Thibodeau and Bickerstaff: As long as the game is being officiated consistently, everyone will adjust from there.

"All the ones they did call were clear travels. Not much to argue about," Curry said after the Warriors' win over the Rockets on Saturday. "Make the adjustments based on how the game is called, and we are talented enough to do that.

"Again, it's just making sure it's consistent on both sides, game after game."

While the emphasis on traveling hasn't come as a shock, both the number of carrying and palming violations -- neither of which were specifically spelled out as points of emphasis heading into the season -- have soared.

What has led to the sudden increase? McCutchen says the answer is simple: After watching the opening weeks of the season and studying how officials were reacting to the point of emphasis on traveling, not enough attention was paid to both carrying and palming the ball -- acts he says are part of the same sequence of events stressed to referees in the preseason.

"My job as the head coach -- for lack of a better description -- of our team, is to make sure that the rule book is being enforced," McCutchen says. "And when we emphasize traveling and sequencing and it picks up another part of footwork, then it needs to be adjudicated properly."

When asked if he expected there to be a decrease in calls as the season went along, McCutchen says there could be a natural decrease as players adjust. We have seen that in the past. Per Pelton's analysis, travels per game have declined after the first 20 team games in 24 of the past 26 seasons, including a dramatic drop in 2019-20 when traveling was last a point of emphasis.

Still, McCutchen says that despite some of the high-profile nature of recent calls, he's happy with the progress the league has made while acknowledging the referees' task of keeping up with a league constantly evolving around them.

"We're always going to be just a little behind. The key is to shorten that distance as much as possible through good training," McCutchen says of NBA referees.

"You've heard me say it a thousand times: A referee's role is to serve the game, and when we're told where we need to get better at serving the game, then it's my job to deliver on that."

And, after the Knicks had one of their best defensive performances of the season Sunday, Randle had one idea for how they could build on that success.

"Hopefully," Randle said with a smile, "we can force them into more travels."

ESPN's Kendra Andrews contributed to this story.

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Exploring How NBA Players Travel: Airplanes, Buses & Private Jets

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world, with 30 teams across the United States and Canada. As such, NBA players have to travel frequently throughout the season, whether it’s to compete in away games or attend promotional and media events. But how do NBA players travel?

In this article, we’ll explore the different forms of transportation used by NBA players for travel, and the cost and comfort associated with each. We’ll also look at the logistics of team road trips in the NBA, how teams cope with long travel times, and the impact of travel on player performance. Lastly, we’ll investigate the benefits of private jets for NBA players.

Exploring the Different Forms of Transportation Used by NBA Players

NBA players typically use three main forms of transportation for their travels: airplanes, buses, and private jets. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Most NBA teams choose to fly commercial airlines when traveling domestically. This is the most common form of transportation for NBA players, as it allows them to reach their destination quickly and efficiently. Additionally, commercial airplanes are one of the most cost-effective forms of transportation, making them attractive to teams that are looking to save money.

For shorter trips, some NBA teams opt to use buses instead of airplanes. Buses provide an affordable alternative to air travel and can be more comfortable for players, especially if they’re traveling with their families. However, buses are much slower than airplanes, so teams are limited to traveling within driving distance of their home city.

Private Jets

When time is of the essence, some NBA teams will charter private jets. These jets provide a luxurious way to travel and allow teams to reach their destination quickly. They are also much more expensive than commercial airplanes or buses, so they are typically reserved for special occasions or important business trips.

A Look at the Cost and Comfort of NBA Player Travel

The cost and comfort of NBA player travel varies depending on the form of transportation used. Let’s take a closer look at the cost and comfort of airplane, bus, and private jet travel.

Airplane Travel

Airplane travel is usually the most cost-effective form of travel for NBA teams. Depending on the airline and route, tickets can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per person. Additionally, commercial airplanes often lack the comfort and amenities of private jets, so players may not be as comfortable during their flights.

Buses are typically much cheaper than airplanes, but they are also much slower. Depending on the distance, a bus ride can take several hours, which can be uncomfortable for players who are used to flying. Additionally, buses often lack the same amenities found on airplanes, such as Wi-Fi and in-flight meals.

Private Jet Travel

Private jets offer the most comfortable form of travel for NBA players, with luxurious amenities such as reclining seats and entertainment systems. However, they are also the most expensive form of travel, with tickets costing thousands of dollars per person. Additionally, private jets can only carry a limited number of passengers.

Investigating the Logistics of Team Road Trips in the NBA

Team road trips in the NBA involve more than just getting from point A to point B. There are many logistics that must be taken into account, such as scheduling, accommodations, and food and nutrition.

Scheduling is an important factor when planning a road trip, as teams must consider the length of the trip, the number of games they are playing, and the days off between games. Teams must also plan their travel schedule around other events, such as media appearances and team activities.

Accommodations

Accommodations are another important factor to consider when planning a road trip. Teams must book hotels and arrange transportation to and from the arena. Additionally, teams must also ensure that their players have access to quality medical care and treatment during their travels.

Food and Nutrition

Nutrition is an essential part of any athlete’s performance, and NBA teams must ensure that their players are eating healthy foods while on the road. Teams typically hire chefs to prepare meals for the players, and they may also provide snacks and drinks on the plane or bus.

Examining How NBA Teams Cope With Long Travel Times

Long travel times can be difficult for NBA players, as they can lead to fatigue and a decrease in performance. But teams have developed strategies to help players manage their time and energy while on the road.

Strategies for Time Management

Teams have developed strategies to help players manage their time while on the road. For example, teams may limit the amount of time players spend in the hotel, encourage players to take naps, and provide players with books and other forms of entertainment to keep them occupied.

Strategies for Dealing with Fatigue

Teams also have strategies to help players cope with fatigue while on the road. For example, teams may provide players with vitamins and supplements to help boost their energy levels, and they may also give players massages and other forms of relaxation therapy.

Analyzing the Impact of Travel on Player Performance

Travel can have both mental and physical effects on NBA players. The stress of traveling can lead to mental exhaustion, and the lack of sleep can lead to physical fatigue. Additionally, the change in environment can also affect a player’s performance, as they may not be used to the court or the climate of their destination.

Investigating the Benefits of Private Jets for NBA Players

Private jets offer numerous benefits for NBA players, including increased comfort and reduced travel times. Private jets are much faster than commercial airplanes or buses, so teams can reach their destination quicker and with less stress. Additionally, private jets offer more luxurious amenities than commercial airplanes, such as reclining seats and entertainment systems.

In conclusion, NBA players typically use airplanes, buses, and private jets for their travels. Airplanes are the most cost-effective form of transportation, while buses provide an affordable alternative for short trips. Private jets are the most comfortable form of transportation, but they are also the most expensive. Teams must also consider the logistics of team road trips, such as scheduling, accommodations, and food and nutrition. Additionally, teams must develop strategies to help players manage their time and cope with fatigue while on the road. Finally, private jets offer increased comfort and reduced travel times for NBA players.

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Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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