Trust the Process
4 sleeper contenders for the post-Bubble NBA title
It was all supposed to be so easy. After last year’s triumphant coronation in the quarantine bubble, the Los Angeles Lakers were primed to take advantage of the ever-stretching window of LeBron James’ prime, and his pairing with fellow superstar Anthony Davis, for at least one more title. And then injuries — the biggest story of the 2020–2021 NBA season, which wrapped up earlier this week — decimated the Lakers, shunting them from the top seed in the Western Conference to the league’s new play-in tournament.
This entire NBA season has felt like an extended hangover from the miraculous success of the quarantine bubble. Teams (with the exception of the Toronto Raptors, still stranded in Florida) have returned to their home arenas, playing before skimpy crowds. Star players like James, Davis, Jamal Murray, Jaylen Brown, James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Donovan Mitchell have missed significant playing time this season, with some stars unavailable for the start of the playoffs.
Placing my unabashed Lakers homerism temporarily to the side, the playoffs offer a path to trumphant redemption for a number of teams who might have expected their path to the title to be blocked by James and Davis. The Lakers may still win another title, but with their steep climb, there is more room now for some of their rivals. With the…
