In the 2019-20 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious with the best record in the Western Conference and their 17th championship title. However, their path to victory was not without challenges.
The sudden and tragic death of Kobe Bryant, coupled with the season's suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resumption of play inside a bubble at Walt Disney World Resort, made for a unique and difficult season.
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Lakers' 2020 Championship Win Was Dismissed as a Fluke
Many have dismissed the Lakers' championship win as not entirely legitimate because it was won in the bubble. However, this year's playoffs have validated their victory, at least for those who do not let their opinions cloud the facts.
The Lakers have made it to the Western Conference Finals this year, despite facing mid-season trades and tough competition from the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
They will again face off against the Denver Nuggets, whom they defeated in the same round in 2020.
On the Eastern side of the playoffs, the Miami Heat have emerged as an unexpected success story, just as they did in the bubble. They will face off against the Boston Celtics, whom they faced in the conference finals last year.
The Heat easily defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games, just as they did in the previous season, despite the Bucks having the best record in the NBA.
This year's playoffs have resulted in the same final four teams as the bubble season, with the possibility of a Lakers-Heat rematch in the championship series. Alternatively, fans could witness the classic and highly anticipated matchup between the Lakers and the Celtics.
The bubble season was far from easy, and the Lakers certainly earned their championship title in October 2020. With the potential for another victory shortly, fans will be eagerly watching to see who will emerge victorious in this year's playoffs.
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