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Quick Bytes
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope reflects on the Lakers’ potential against the Clippers in 2020.
- Lakers’ dominant performance in the bubble led to a championship win.
- Clippers’ unexpected loss to the Nuggets in the playoffs surprised many.
- Lakers faced defeat against the Nuggets in the 2024 playoffs first round.
Reflecting on What Could Have Been
The 2019-20 NBA season faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the creation of the Orlando bubble allowed teams like the Los Angeles Lakers to continue their quest for a championship. The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, showcased a dominant performance, swiftly handling the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets in the playoffs.
While the Lakers awaited their Western Conference Finals opponent, the L.A. Clippers, who were favored to face them, suffered a shocking defeat to the Denver Nuggets. Former Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope expressed on The Draymond Green Show that he believed the Lakers would have swept the Clippers had they met in the finals. Caldwell-Pope’s confidence stemmed from the Lakers’ strong showing in the bubble and the Clippers’ inability to close out their series against the Nuggets.
The Lakers’ eventual championship victory seemed to validate Caldwell-Pope’s belief in their superiority. The following season, the Lakers and Nuggets met again in the playoffs, with the Nuggets emerging victorious despite Caldwell-Pope’s assertion that they felt the Lakers should have won. This ongoing rivalry and reflection on past matchups continue to fuel discussions among fans and players alike.
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