NBA Fans all around the globe are coping with the absence of basketball in many different ways. One way in particular is focused on sports opinion and debating a player or team’s legacy on the hardwood. Many who follow the game have begged the question, does the coronavirus pandemic tarnish the 2020 championship at all? The pandemic halted the season about 15 games short, and what followed was a hiatus that we have never experienced before. These unprecedented times have some calling for the 2020 season to be followed by an asterisk. For whoever wins the NBA Title this year, the word asterisk should not even be mentioned. Accomplishing this feat, under these circumstances, is more impressive than any regular title with no interruptions.
We will learn who is best at facing adversity when the NBA resumes with 22 teams in Orlando, Florida. The plan includes 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams who will play out the final eight regular-season games, a possible play-in tournament for the eighth seed, and playoffs. Due to time constraints only allowing for 8 more games, there is potential that one of the 6 teams on the outside looking in will get a shot to capture the final seed on the court.
On the court, is where legacies are built and the fact that these players get the opportunity to go earn it is a huge testament to the league and Adam Silver. Seeding games, or the final regular season games, will take place in August and provide a ton of clarity once seeding is sorted. This much is obvious, there is a ton on the line for each of these athletes to accomplish something that has never been done before. Due to the circumstances, and difficulty of resetting, there are only a select few teams who have a shot to win a championship.
The Milwaukee Bucks have pummeled the Eastern Conference this season in route to a pristine overall record entering the COVID-19 stoppage. They looked to be the team to beat coming out of the East and I will not dispute this. What I will dispute, is the fact that their best player still has to prove it in crunch time, in the playoffs. This is no slight to his game, or his career up to this point. Every basketball mind wants to see Giannis Antetokounmpo take the necessary next step in his trajectory. From the East, there is another budding star who could stand in his way now and for years to come. Jayson Tatum has a unique opportunity to shock the world and has his team overlooked to this point. No matter who represents the East, they will have their hands full following a long lay-off because there are only two teams who will possibly come out of the ultra-competitive West. Really there is only one.
The other side will be determined by two extraordinary talents that share the same city. Who will reign as king of LA? This is LeBron James title to lose. At his advanced age, if he can conquer Kawhi’s Clippers and the East champion, after a long hiatus, his doubters will have a hard time disputing his legacy. The doubters often point to LBJ’s 6 losses in the Finals as diminishing to his resume in comparison to Michael Jordan. This, along with his magical 2016 run, coming back from a 3-1 deficit against an incredible Warriors team, can be argued as the single greatest accomplishments in NBA history. To whoever hoists the title, these unprecedented circumstances will enhance their legacy as the best at overcoming adversity. An asterisk is out of the question.
Prediction: Lakers over Bucks in 7