NBA conference finals rematches destroy 'bubble narrative'

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives to the net against Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie (10). Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

NBA conference finals rematches destroy faulty 'bubble narrative'

By Max Steele | Last updated 5/15/23

The bubble was legit, and this year's conference finals prove it.

The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers are set to face off in the Western Conference Finals, while the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat battle it out in the Eastern Conference Finals. Both series are rematches from the mid-pandemic 2020 NBA Playoffs, infamously known as "the bubble."

Three years after the bubble, the same four teams are in the Conference Finals pic.twitter.com/eRbS0NjGjc
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 14, 2023

The bubble being controversial is an understatement.

The isolated playoffs, hosted at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, were discredited by many due to their unprecedented nature.

The strange postseason had no home-court advantage, no fans, no families, no usual amenities and strict protocols — enough so that a player was evicted.

Losing players claimed they would have won under normal circumstances. Critics downplayed heroics from bubble-thriving players such as Jimmy Butler, Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell. And haters continue to diminish LeBron James and the Lakers' championship with the term "Mickey Mouse ring."

But what will they say now, as the same final four teams, composed of the same star players, clinch the conference finals again?

Lakers champion Alex Caruso and others kept the receipts and were quick to fire back online.

“ BUT THE BUBBLE DIDNT COUNT !”
— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) May 13, 2023

NBA bubble haters seeing the same exact Conference Finals teams made it back again pic.twitter.com/gBwBipEzjb
— Playmaker Betting (@playmakerbet) May 15, 2023

And just like that, 3 seasons later, we are right back to the NBA Bubble conference finals. All those teams you called fraud & came right back. Meanwhile where are all your favorites? Eliminated.
— Aokiji クザン (@DukeOfZamunda) May 14, 2023

Everybody that said the bubble doesn’t count right now: pic.twitter.com/VNdAQucim8
— Giovanni Rosello (@LuckyGio2) May 14, 2023

pic.twitter.com/oLoTaeqGxk
— PRX (@PRX113) May 14, 2023

But the bubble allegations never held any weight to those who actually know ball. Murray said it showcased the "highest level" of the sport and Kevin Durant believed the title should be "more respected" than others.

The question now is, will we see a new champion? Or will the Lakers truly repeat history?

The Western Conference finals tip off in Denver on Tuesday night, followed by the Eastern Conference finals in Boston on Wednesday.

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