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LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers kick off their 2020 NBA playoffs tonight in the Orlando bubble when they face a Portland team that some, including my pal Charles Curtis, think could stun the top-seed and title-favorite Lakers.
LeBron, of course, has three NBA rings but this fourth one, if they are to win it, would be the most impressive of his storied career.
I know what you’re thinking – what about that time LeBron led the Cavs to a stunning championship over the 73-win Warriors in which they won Game 6 and 7 on the road? That was a veerrrrryyyyy good title, and easily better than the two he won in Miami.
But this one in the bubble, much like the bubble itself, would be a whole lot different and a whole lot more difficult.
And a whole lot better, too.
Life in this bubble presents a ton of challenges – from being away from family and being holed up on a campus where hotel rooms are now their homes each and every night. As this thing plays out, that time is going to become a mental grind, as well as a physical one, too.
Life on the court is so much different, as well. The Lakers, like all the teams in Orlando, won’t benefit from home-court advantage and screaming crowds to lift them up in key moments. They also won’t be able to feed off shutting up crowds on the road, something that LeBron has loved to do during other championship runs. As a Celtics fan, I know that all too well.
Instead, it will all be just about competing your you-know-whats off on what will be a much more level playing field, which makes a championship in the bubble that more impressive.
LeBron benefits from having Anthony Davis and a bunch of other good teammates, but Los Angeles did struggle a bit in its eight games in Orlando. I’m sure their intensity level will change once tonight’s game tips off but still, this bubble offers a ton of new challenges that will make things harder to win a ring.
The Trail Blazers, led by the great Damian Lillard, enter this first-round series with a ton of confidence built up from their impressive bubble run into the playoffs. Can they beat the Lakers? Probably not, but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if they did.
The Clippers, Rockets, and Nuggets are all going to be tough teams to beat in the West, too.
Then there is a team called the Milwaukee Bucks in the East that would be a tough opponent in the Finals, if they can get there.
This is going to be one of the biggest challenges LeBron has faced in the NBA. And while the Lakers are the favorite to win it all, it’s not going to be easy.
That’s why this fourth ring would be the most impressive.
Monday’s biggest winner: Canadian singer Jessie Reyez.
Reyez kicked off the Raptors-Nets game on Monday by singing the anthems from the top of the CN Tower in Toronto in what was an incredible and fearless performance. You gotta watch this.
Quick hits: Jamal Murray’s classic reaction… Gerald McCoy’s classy message… Joe Judge’s rough start with Giants… And more!
– Jamal Murry, who had a monster game in Denver’s OT win over the Jazz on Monday, had the best reaction to learning that Donovan Mitchell had 57 points in the game.
– Cowboys DT Gerald McCoy suffered a season-ending injury on Monday and then shared an incredibly classy message a few hours later.
– Steven Ruiz explains why Giants head coach Joe Judge is already making the same mistakes as other failed Belichick protégés.
– Mike Golic says he’s not retiring when his ESPN contract is done.
– Charles Curtis is here to get your ready for fantasy football with a look at the running backs – which ones could be sleepers and which ones could be busts.