So much has changed since the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets clashed in this round three seasons ago in the Orlando bubble — and yes, the reappearance of all four bubble semifinalists lends their 2020 runs some credibility ballast they never needed anyway.
The bubble was different, but that never made what anyone achieved (or failed to achieve) there any less meaningful. It was the only option.
There was a four-month break, no fans, a friendlier shooting background and no travel. Every contender dealt with the same conditions.
Some quaked. Some rose up. The Lakers then, as now, were win-now contenders. The Nuggets were newbies, usurpers, uninvited crashers of the presumed Battle for Los Angeles conference finals between the Lakers and the LA Clippers.