Austin Rivers on the 2020 NBA champion: ‘One of toughest ever’

“I think whoever wins should have an asterisk next to it, but only for it being one of the toughest championships ever won,” Rivers said.

In new comments to Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report, Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers doubled down on his recent comments that the 2019-20 NBA champion will be remembered for a historic achievement.

Given the unusual dynamic of a season with a significant delay just before the playoffs, many fans have wondered whether a 2020 NBA champion would have an unofficial “asterisk” next to it.

But as the 27-year-old Rivers sees it, the odd circumstances could make this year’s champion even more meaningful. He elaborates:

I think whoever wins should have an asterisk next to it, but only for it being one of the toughest championships ever won. You’re asking guys to take three to four months off, then come back and find chemistry, etc., and then play during a pandemic, all while players are fighting for BLM [Black Lives Matter].

There’s a lot going on right now. Crazy times and a lot of worry. And during these times, players are leaving their families to go live in a locked-down bubble. So for all these reasons and more, I think it will be one of the tougher championships ever won. Only season like this EVER.

Rivers is averaging 8.5 points (35.8% on 3-pointers) and 2.4 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game this season. When Houston’s season resume at the NBA’s bubble site near Orlando on July 31, he’ll be a key backcourt piece behind starters James Harden and Russell Westbrook as they pursue a championship that could be remembered for a very long time.

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