Since his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, LeBron James has proven to be an exceptionally transformative player. He averaged 20.9 points per game during his rookie season, participating in 79 games. Moreover, he has won the NBA championship with all three franchises he has played for, with the most recent victory in 2020. However, a former teammate of Michael Jordan has cast doubt on the legitimacy of this last title.
The 2019-20 NBA season was remarkable, defined largely by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact and the absence of fans in the arenas. In the aftermath, some former players questioned the legitimacy of the Los Angeles Lakers 2020 championship victory. Among the critics was Ron Harper, who took to X to express his skepticism. Responding to a post commemorating that championship, he stated bluntly, “The bubble ring is just that! A bubble ring… trash.”
Anthony Davis did not take kindly to criticism of this championship, asserting it was one of the most challenging experiences of his career. The mental toll stemmed from being away from his family and confined to controlled environments like hotel rooms. Even, some players mentioned the difficulty of enduring these periods without interacting with anyone.
Bam Adebayo also voiced his concerns about this experience. In an interview on ‘The OGs Show,’ he remarked, “That was the hardest championship to win, in my opinion. 15 deep plus coaches, staff, whatever you need, like training staff, but other than that, it’s you, your thoughts in one room boxed in. Listen, it felt like you was gang-affiliated when you was in the bubble… We walking; we ain’t speaking to nobody. I’m talking about it was like we was walking around mad at everybody.”
Even Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, remarked in September 2023 on the Gil’s Arena YouTube Channel that criticism of this championship arose because James won it. He suggested that if Stephen Curry had achieved the victory instead, he would have faced no criticism. In those playoffs, the veteran Lakers star dominated by averaging 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. His stellar performance earned him the Finals MVP award.
Although Ron Harper’s argument does not directly address the GOAT debate, many fans believe it’s intrinsically linked. The former Chicago Bulls player has consistently advocated for Michael Jordan as the greatest player in history. Nonetheless, LeBron James’ remarkable performance during that championship will remain unforgettable, particularly considering it came at the age of 35, marking one of the finest postseason displays of his career.