On Verge of Missing the Whole Season, LeBron James’ Bold Stance Would Have Changed Lakers’ Fate in 2020 Title Run

Published 11/01/2022, 4:50 PM EDT

The 2019-2020 NBA season was unlike something ever seen. It dealt with the unfortunate passing of one of the game’s greatest ever and a pandemic that bought the season to a halt. The season was later resumed in unique conditions, which ended with the Los Angeles Lakers clinching the title. However, LeBron James could have changed the entire outcome if he had stuck to his bold stance.

The 2020 season was like none other in NBA history. On March 11th, 2020, the NBA season was suspended until further notice after Rudy Gobert tested positive for the Coronavirus. The pandemic was spreading around the world and the league had no choice but to suspend the season.

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As the Pandemic still was rampant around the world, the league came up with an innovative idea to restart the season. It planned to call teams and players to Disneyland in Orlando. It planned to form a bio bubble to complete the season. And the NBPA and NBA came to an agreement, and they resumed the season.

LeBron James threatened to sit out the season if fans were not allowed

Just before the season was suspended, the NBA had asked teams to get ready to play without fans if the conditions worsened. Several players were asked their thought on this and they had varied opinions. Even LeBron James was asked if he was okay with playing without fans.

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LeBron said, “We play games without the fans? Nah, that’s impossible. I ain’t playing if I ain’t got the fans in the crowd. That’s who I play for. I play for my teammates, and I play for the fans. That’s what it’s all about. So if I show up to an arena and there ain’t no fans in there, I ain’t playing. They can do what they want to do.”

At that time, no one had imagined the COVID-19 pandemic had such a massive effect on the world. But had LeBron sat out of the bubble, it could have changed basketball history forever.

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Without LeBron, it is unlikely the Lakers would have won the title. Also, the bubble had a huge mark on LeBron’s legacy. He had a great run in Orlando and he won his fourth title in spectacular fashion. And then, he was named the Finals MVP as well.

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So if LeBron had actually followed his bold stance, the league would have missed out on one of its greatest-ever players. LeBron would have missed out on a chance to build on his legacy.

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Written by:

Vishwesha Kumar is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Holder of a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Vishwesha has been writing content for about 3 years now. He has been following the NBA for nearly 10 years, since first starting off in the year 2012.

Edited by:

Vineet Nandwana

On Verge of Missing the Whole Season, LeBron James’ Bold Stance Would Have Changed Lakers’ Fate in 2020 Title Run

LeBron James threatened to sit out the season if fans were not allowed

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