NBA playoffs confirm legitimacy of 2020 ‘bubble’ championship

The NBA Playoffs are heating up, and the Western and Eastern Conference finalists have been decided.

In the west, the Los Angeles Lakers are set to clash with the Denver Nuggets, while in the east, the Boston Celtics will take on the Miami Heat. These matchups might feel familiar because they mirror the brackets from the 2020 COVID-19 bubble.

However, amidst lingering skepticism surrounding the legitimacy of the 2020 championship, with critics describing it as a “Mickey Mouse” trophy due to the unconventional circumstances of the bubble, a compelling narrative emerges. Now, three years later, the same four teams are in the final four, confirming the legitimacy of the Lakers’ 2020 championship triumph.

Looking back to 2020, the regular NBA season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic for several months. The playoffs eventually resumed within a bubble environment in Orlando. The absence of home-court advantage, lack of fans in attendance, and an extended rest period for the players significantly impacted the dynamics of the games. Teams struggled to develop regular-season chemistry, and players had ample time to rest and recover from injuries.

The Los Angeles Lakers benefited greatly from the pause in the regular season and the subsequent break leading up to the playoffs due to the pandemic. Their two superstars, the injury-prone Anthony Davis and the aging LeBron James, were able to minimize their injury concerns and get the necessary rest, respectively. The Lakers claimed the championship convincingly, with “King James” and “AD” displaying dominance. LeBron secured his fourth title and fourth Finals MVP, solidifying his status as one of the greatest of all time, or as it is known in sport, the GOAT.

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