The Los Angeles Lakers emerged as the last team to leave the NBA bubble last season, bagging the coveted title amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Just two months after securing the franchise's 17th championship, team owner Jeanie Buss explained on Sportsnet 590 The FAN on Saturday what made Los Angeles' latest title “really special.”
“You know, 90 days of being isolated really wears on you mentally and it’s like you don’t realize how much of a challenge it is to stay motivated when you don’t have the stimulation of everyday life and seeing your friends and being in your own home and having your dog around. [The players] sacrificed so much. The work that they did, it was really special,” the Lakers president shared.
When the NBA created a bubble to continue the season while avoiding risks of COVID-19, everyone argued whether the impending championship would be the easiest or hardest one in history. While some people thought it was an easy accomplishment, others understood everything that would go into hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Players across the league were stuck in isolation away from their families as they played games in Orlando. At the same time, there were ongoing conversations being had in the bubble about the racial issues going on.
With that in mind, the players had to make a ton of sacrifices to make a championship run. And while other teams performed well in the bubble, it was LeBron James and Anthony Davis who led the way for the Lakers to hang another banner.
Coming into the 2020-2021 season, Los Angeles is favored to repeat as champions in the NBA. Before the Lakers begin their quest of defending their title, Jeanie Buss wants everyone to know what went into the magical playoff run for the franchise last season.
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