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NBA Champions for 2020 Season?
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September 5, 2022 4 Comments
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By September 5, 2022 4 Comments
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2020*
I’ll say this about that title: it’s a once-in-a-century accomplishment.
Much like the title the Spurs won in 98-99 when the season started in Feb, was 50 games (kind of compacted if I recall so a different kind of grind) and players like to decry it because 32 games were lopped off as a result of the strike. In some ways it was a amore grueling physical accomplishment than the Bubble title.
I feel like the Bubble was more of a mental accomplishment. The team with the most mental fortitude, ability to adapt game-to-game (which the Lakers nailed under Frank, LeBron and I will always credit Rondo a lot as well as the level of maturity and professionalism that team possessed) did the best. If you were a pro and got on your treatment post game you did yourself a favor. Or there was cards and fishing and Jimmy B coffee.
For me I never really bought into the * for San Antonio, they still had to go out and win games and everyone was getting the same schedule, same number of games, and so on. Same goes for the Bubble, if it gets an * it’s simply to acknowledge that, while a worthy accomplishment, everyone still had to go out and win the games after all, it can never really be replicated. It’s unique.
The mental strain of what was happening at the time shouldn’t be glossed over. Now it’s easy to look back through the current COVID lens, we’re inoculated to news about it with many opinions about the ins and outs of it all. For the players they went into a Pauly Shore-esque Biodome complete with distractions to take you away from the game. If you had problems back home of some kind, pause that. Sick relative? Need to make choice a la Avery Bradley. You didn’t know if everyone would get it and what did that even really mean? The biggest mind game of any NBA finals, IMO.
The break between is the true issue, for me at least. There will never be a three month break along with a tune up stretch on into the playoffs. It’s something that Rob hasn’t reacted well to, that makes us all question whether AD can do 82 into the playoffs and have anything useful left in the tank and if even LeBron would be gassed just getting a team to that point. I know I have my doubts on each of those topics.
Still, if it gets an * for me it’s not because it was easier or harder, just unparalleled. Yes, there is a banner on the wall, but unlike every other banner ever put up on that wall it has not been, and maybe never even had the potential to be, a harbinger of what’s to come. There was never really the threat of a repeat, the short break coupled with AD’s fragility along with shuttling off some key vets doomed that team. They did take the elite defensive identity forged in those playoffs but lost the leadership and brain power to get younger. We know what happened after that.
I’ll go as far as to say, the Lebron we got was the one I had the dreadful pit in my stomach over – the aging superstar version. The guy who still puts up impressive offensive stats, doesn’t play defense, has moments where he looks to be his old self, but really doesn’t have the gas in the tank to get it done when the stakes are the highest or you need him most. That still doesn’t at all impede him from acting like the league’s alpha, demanding his agency makes all key personnel decisions, and a salary meant for someone far more impactful on the court. The ridiculous notion that pairing him with a couple of decent role players, or even another mercurial all-star will somehow vault this team into legitimate title contention has set the Lakers back a decade and counting.
Were it not for the covid layoff, there’s little doubt Lebron would’ve led 4 mostly disappointing Lakers season. Last year was the absolute most regrettable Lakers season I’ve witnessed. Mostly a lot of self inflicted pain, driven by Lebron selfish moves. #1 get him and his clients paid, #2 lessen the burden on his inability to get it done every night by bringing in another playmaker. Sadly, they couldn’t get an actual contributor in that role.
People also often neglect to mention his first ring was also in a shortened season. Now, there’s no denying that every team played under that same conditions, but in all likelihood, Lebron’s championships will be bookended by abbreviated seasons.
Excellent points, Jamie. Am with you 100%.