The NBA Conference finals saw two rematches, the Lakers against the Nuggets and the Heat against the Celtics, and it put to bed any concerns about the bubble impacting the playoffs. The playoffs continued despite the pandemic, and fans were forced to witness games played without the usual crowd atmosphere. However, with the level of competition that took place in these series, it is clear that the quality of the playoffs remained exceptionally high.
The Lakers ended the Nuggets’ magical run in the Western Conference finals by winning the series in five games. This was a rematch of last year’s second-round series, and the Lakers were able to sweep the Nuggets. In January, Kevin Durant said, “Nobody wants to play in the bubble. Everything is just weird.” However, this series demonstrated that the bubble experience was only an obstacle rather than an advantage or disadvantage for any team.
Similarly, the Heat faced the Celtics in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, and once again, the Heat came out on top. The series went to six games, with Miami closing it out in Game 6. The Heat displayed their toughness and resilience throughout the series, giving the impression that the bubble experience could have helped rather than hindered them.
The common denominator among both rematches was the presence of LeBron James and his ability to lead his team. He was the NBA Finals’ MVP last year in the bubble, and this year, he was the driving force behind the Lakers’ dominance. LeBron finished the series averaging 26.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game, demonstrating that his level of play did not diminish despite the different environment.
It is clear that the playoff success of both the Lakers and Heat could not have been attributed to the bubble. Instead, it was the experience and the excellence that each team has to offer. The high level of play we saw from both sides shows how genuine and competitive they are. The team’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the playoffs, as every team fought hard to secure their spot in the Conference finals.
All in all, the Conference finals rematches have demonstrated that the NBA playoffs are not merely about the teams’ talent or environment. They are also about the teams’ desire to win, their level of preparation, and their ability to adapt to circumstances. The bubble narrative has been destroyed, and we can now confidently say that the NBA playoffs were just as thrilling and competitive as they would have been in a traditional season.
