The derisive term often applied to the 2020 NBA championship, earned by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Orlando bubble, questions the legitimacy of the title. This is primarily due to the unique circumstances surrounding the season’s conclusion, which was significantly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, teams played in a sequestered environment without fans, after a prolonged hiatus, leading some to believe that the conditions were atypical and perhaps favored certain teams over others.
The significance of this viewpoint hinges on the perceived impact of the altered season structure. Proponents of the view argue that the absence of traditional home-court advantage and the psychological impact of the bubble environment created an uneven playing field. Historically, NBA championships are won after a grueling regular season and playoffs, which test a team’s physical and mental resilience over an extended period. The shortened season and altered format of 2020 are seen by some as diminishing the value of the championship victory.
