The 2020 NBA season was unlike any other. With the world in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, the league faced an unprecedented challenge. The 2019-20 season was suspended in March and it wasn’t until July that the season resumed in a closed environment known as the “bubble” at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
It was in this unique setting that the Los Angeles Lakers, led by superstar LeBron James, won their 17th NBA championship — and one of the most fun in recent history.
LeBron James on Discipline in the Bubble
On Athlon Sports recently, LeBron James talked about what made the 2020 season so special. He said the bubble environment forced players to focus on basketball, no distractions.
“I agree with a lot of people when they say it’s the purest form of hoops,” James said. “Like it was just, it was strictly basketball. You know, we’re all like, you know, we can do whatever we want in life. You know, we’ve made a bunch of money. We have all the access. You know, that’s gone in the bubble. You can’t just, you know, oh I’m about to go to a restaurant or I’m about to do this or I have this. You can’t do none of that. Like everything in the bubble was strictly about basketball.”
That discipline helped the Lakers stay focused and win the title.
LeBron’s 2020 Playoffs and Finals Stats
LeBron James’ 2020 playoffs and finals stats were ridiculous. In the playoffs he averaged 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks.
In the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat he was even better, averaging 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks. He was the leader and the closer and was named Finals MVP.
Discipline = Team Success
While talent is important, it was the discipline and mental toughness of the Lakers that separated them. In the bubble every player had to follow strict protocols and that created a sense of unity and purpose.
LeBron in particular loved this structure. He knew the only way to succeed in that environment was to stay focused on the task at hand. This mindset helped him perform at his best and inspired his teammates to do the same.
Beyond the 2020 Season: What’s Next?
The 2024-25 season saw the Lakers get eliminated in the first round but LeBron’s legacy remains intact. His ability to perform under pressure and stay disciplined has been a theme of his career.
Even now fans and analysts are looking back at the 2020 championship run as a defining moment in the modern era of the NBA — and a lesson in discipline.