Reflecting on the NBA Bubble Championship

The NBA Bubble sparked different opinions regarding its championship validity. Some see it as the greatest title ever, while others consider it less meaningful than traditional ones—it all depends on who you ask. To mark the fifth anniversary since the bubble began, Joe Valdon from the Athletic reached out to those who spent time within Orlando’s facilities to share their experiences.

Daryl Morey, formerly with the Houston Rockets, believes that the Lakers’ championship should carry an asterisk, and it seems Valdon aligns with that view.

Back in 2020, Morey’s Rockets were ousted by the Lakers in the second round of the bubble playoffs. His small-ball strategy, featuring stars like James Harden and Russell Westbrook, couldn’t keep up with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers’ strong defense. The series concluded in just five games.

In the next round, the Lakers defeated the Nuggets and then went on to beat the Miami Heat in six games during the Finals. According to Morey, many within the league don’t regard it as a fully legitimate championship.

When asked if the Lakers’ title deserves an asterisk, Morey stated:

Had the Rockets won the title, I would have celebrated it as justified, understanding the immense effort it required. However, from conversations I’ve had around the league, there’s a consensus that it can’t truly be seen as a real championship. Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the NBA bubble is the league’s leadership during the pandemic.

It’s interesting—if his team had clinched the title, he would count it, yet, since the Lakers won, it’s a different story. Morey remarked that the situation really calls to mind how he assessed the 2018 Western Conference Finals, suggesting that officiating played a role in their previous playoff exit.

Valdon, a veteran NBA reporter who was actually in the bubble, adds credibility to Morey’s observations, suggesting the Lakers’ win comes with a “Yeah, but…” nuance.

Everyone was under the same conditions, and yes, the Lakers were a great team that season. I agree that navigating bubble playoffs was difficult; however, one major challenge of the postseason is travel, particularly for older players, which impacts recovery. LeBron made only one flight in three months, while typically, players deal with back-to-back games and travel within tight schedules.

Sure, the Lakers’ championship was undoubtedly unusual, but that doesn’t necessarily make it invalid. While my experience covering the league from home made me reflect, I didn’t think the title deserved an asterisk. The lack of travel might have been a factor, sure, but all teams played under the same circumstances. The Lakers were clearly a dominant force throughout the season.

In fact, before the season paused, the Lakers boasted a 52-win record, placing them third in the league at the time. The Bucks and Raptors led with 56 wins each. Did Milwaukee, for example, truly earn their title that year? I doubt it. They needed major deals to bolster their chances in subsequent seasons. Meanwhile, the Raptors lost to the Celtics in a close Game 7, which, without Kawhi Leonard, just wasn’t the same.

The Lakers had a solid roster in 2020. It’s true that the travel situation might have benefited LeBron, and Davis shined as a key player, but overall, LA had two top-tier players supported by a strong cast. Players like Alex Caruso and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have proven their worth on other championship squads.

That being said, the Lakers’ title from the bubble is legitimate. Yet, their popularity complicates any defense of their achievement. They are a household name in the league, and that alone tends to attract a mix of admiration and animosity, especially from fans who root for less glamorous teams.

Morey’s remarks offer an amusing take on the ongoing debate. Honestly, I appreciate his candidness, especially when the sports world is relatively quiet in late July. Still, I find it hard to fully endorse his viewpoint.