Wanderlust and Wisdom: Conversations with Jake Fischer

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Brightline is an adored choice. The hotel receptionist appreciates it. The individual seated across from me in 4A is a fan as well. Like myself, he is experiencing the new train that travels Florida’s eastern shore for the first time.

It’s meeting expectations. These white-gray seats received as much acclaim as any prospect I discussed at this year’s G League Showcase — I promise to the Basketball Deities. Over four days, several front office officials expressed their fondness for the six-year-old intercity railway operating from Orlando to Miami. The spouse of a friend, who is an assistant coach, along with her entire family, lit up when I shared my method of transportation departing from the NBA’s equivalent of winter meetings. Snowbirding parents … here I come.

That was me on Monday as I journeyed towards Christmas (and Hanukkah) celebrations with the family. I had just spent a few days in Central Florida alongside representatives from all 30 NBA front offices … in addition to countless, if not thousands, of anime fans in costume who had taken over the same corridors of the Orange County Convention Center that hosted the Showcase. The same was true for the connected hotels where NBA staff and players navigated to and from games. Last Friday morning, while I walked along a skybridge toward the Showcase, I recognized former lottery selection Skal Labissière trailing behind a woman donned in a complete Mr. Peanut costume worthy of Broadway. There were elves, tails, wigs, swords, onesies, and NBA general managers. It was quite a remarkable convergence of Events (yes … capital E necessary).

However, that was merely the atmosphere. Here are some concluding reflections and thoughts from the Showcase, which celebrated the Westchester Knicks as champions for the second consecutive year amidst a flurry of NBA trade discussions in the audience.