The Los Angeles Lakers won a title in a bubble and two months later began a journey no defending champion has done…attempt to win a second title in less than a year after the first.
The Bubble Is Gone
I’ll type that again…
The NBA bubble is gone.
The bubble had its advantages. The players knew games would not be postponed, no worries about players being quarantined, and players focused on basketball and not the raging pandemic. The players had a three-month break to prepare for the bubble, and now the players will play through a 72 game season with just two months’ rest.
Quick Restart
The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami played the most games in the bubble. The Lakers’ core players of Lebron James and Anthony Davis played in every playoff game. Lebron, now in his 18th season, turned 36 years old earlier this season. His skills have not diminished yet. However, a short offseason may accelerate a drop-off.
The Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets now sport a big three with the acquisition of James Harden. A team with three of the best offensive players in league history, not just this generation of the NBA. The Lakers and Nets are destined for a collision course as Los Angeles is the best defense in the NBA.
Lakers Depth
The Lakers are talent-wise a better team than in 2020. Dennis Shroder became the teams starting point guard, taking over Lebron James’s position as the top facilitator. Their frontcourt improved with last season’s Six-Man of The Year, Montrezl Harrell, and NBA champion Marc Gasol.
The NBA is season long and unforgiving. However, Lebron and company are off to a hot start at 11-3 and 7-0 record on the road.
