NBA fans were pretty much satisfied that the NBA 2019-20 season restart in Orlando sailed smoothly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But it wasn't as effortless as it seemed since in a strange turn of events, it wasn't the virus but a protest led by the Milwaukee Bucks that derailed the season. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James revealed just how close he was to leaving the bubble and bidding goodbye to his chance at a fourth ring.

James appeared on the Road Trippin podcast where he shared some juicy things that occurred inside the Orlando bubble. To recall, in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Bucks decided to boycott Game 5 of their first-round duel with the Orlando Magic.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Portland Trail Blazers — all of which had scheduled games that day — also did not play. From behind closed doors, rumors spread that the delays caused by the protest could put the 2019-20 season restart to a grinding halt.

Though the playoffs eventually resumed after a series of talks among players and owners, James' comments reveal how serious things were behind the curtain.

It's difficult to imagine what would've happened if the NBA called off the season due to the protests. Perhaps James wouldn't have four title rings today? Or perhaps the league, as headstrong as it is, would've come up with another grand plan to properly conclude the season?

There are definitely a lot of what-ifs in what has been a strange year. Be as it may, NBA fans have a lot to be happy about as the league did everything they can to entertain its millions of supporters.