This NBA season was and is unlike any other in league history. Currently, four teams are playing out the Conference Finals in a bubble. Eventually, one will emerge as champion.
When that squad does ultimately win the title, will it be regarded as more legitimate or less legitimate than past champions?
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was presented with that question during a recent appearance on the Joe Budden Podcast.
When Budden wondered whether this year’s title would mean as much, Durant didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah, of course,” he replied.
“You still have to play against these dudes.”
After giving the question some consideration, Durant insisted that this year’s championship would actually mean more.
“I think it will be respected for sure,” he continued.
“Probably more respected. It’s tough for the boys in there. They’ve been away from everybody for that long. To be the last one standing? That’s going to be tough.”
Durant is not alone in thinking that way. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said something similar.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say that there’s going to be, like, a star next to this championship,” he said.
“I feel like at the end of the day this is going to be like the toughest championship you could ever win because the circumstances are really, really tough right now. So, whoever wants it more is going to be able to go out there and take it.”
LeBron snapped. https://t.co/fC5mjCeo2b
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 23, 2020
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra agreed with that assessment.
“I think this might be certainly the most worthy of all world championships in the NBA because of all the things that every team is going to have to navigate and overcome to be able to be crowned a champion,” he said.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel felt the same way.
“Our team has been through a lot this year,” he said.
“And we’ve endured, and we’ve come out strong each time we’ve faced adversity. I don’t know about other teams but if we were able to come through all of this and achieve the ultimate prize, I do think it deserves a harder-than-ordinary asterisk.
“If you’re going to put an asterisk on it, I don’t think it weakens it at all.”
Yikes Bill Belichick. https://t.co/9cgP6KjLmR
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 23, 2020
As did Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone.
“If you’re able to go into a bubble to be isolated from your friends and family, to have no home court advantage, to have a league interruption of four months, and you’re able to spend 90 days and come out of there a champion, I think this will be the toughest championship ever won,” he said.
“There’s no asterisk. You win an NBA championship anytime, it’s a hell of an accomplishment. But in these circumstances, these unprecedented times, with everything going on … I think it will be a remarkable accomplishment.”
An interesting decision. https://t.co/SFGW2hL91B
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 22, 2020
Currently the Los Angeles Lakers hold a 2-1 lead over the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals, and the Heat hold a 2-1 lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
A showdown between the Lakers and Heat looked inevitable after both teams’ respective Game 2s, but after Denver and Boston picked up Game 3 victories, anything is possible.
Related: Kevin Durant Talks Sneaking Women Into NBA Bubble
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
