After the 2018-19 season, which was LeBron James’ first season with them, the Los Angeles Lakers were in a definite tailspin. They had missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, and the immediate outlook seemed very bleak for them.
But they traded for Anthony Davis and made some prudent free agent signings that summer, which allowed them to win the NBA championship the very next season. Unfortunately, that championship was won during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic inside the Walt Disney World Resort bubble, which led to plenty of people not giving them the proper credit for that accomplishment.
The Lakers also didn’t get the usual parade that comes with winning a world title. While team governor Jeanie Buss has occasionally talked about holding one ever since the pandemic subsided, one never took place.
She did say, however, during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA radio, that if this year’s Lakers win it all, she will try to honor the 2020 team.
This year’s Lakers are certainly in the mix to win basketball’s grand prize thanks to their massive acquisition of Luka Doncic on Feb. 1, as well as the continued improvement of guard Austin Reaves. With all the parity across the league, a championship parade for them — as well as perhaps the 2020 squad — doesn’t exactly seem like a stretch.
The 2025 NBA Playoffs will begin for L.A. on Saturday when it hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves. This will be the first time the team begins a playoff series at home since 2012, back when Crypto.com Arena was known as Staples Center.