As I sit here watching the Lakers practice footage from their Orlando bubble sessions, I can't help but reflect on that powerful statement from earlier this season: "And if we're going to just go ahead and change personnel, then we're all back to zero again." This sentiment perfectly captures the delicate chemistry that championship teams require, and it's something I've seen play out repeatedly throughout my fifteen years analyzing professional basketball. The 2020 NBA season presented unprecedented challenges with the pandemic-induced hiatus and bubble environment, making team continuity more valuable than ever before. Teams that maintained their core rotations and coaching philosophies definitely held a significant advantage in this unique championship race.
Looking at the championship odds before the season resumed in Orlando, the Milwaukee Bucks stood as clear favorites at +240, with the Los Angeles Lakers close behind at +275. Having studied championship teams for over a decade, I've learned that regular season dominance doesn't always translate to playoff success, especially in such unusual circumstances. The Bucks had the league's best record at 53-12 when the season paused, but I had serious concerns about their half-court offense in critical playoff moments. Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominance is undeniable - he was averaging 29.6 points and 13.7 rebounds per game - but the supporting cast's consistency in high-pressure situations remained questionable to me. The Clippers at +300 seemed like the most complete team on paper, but their injury management throughout the season prevented them from building the continuity that championship teams need.
The Lakers' situation fascinated me most because they exemplified that "back to zero" concept perfectly. When the season resumed, they had the advantage of returning with essentially the same roster that had built chemistry throughout the first 65 games. LeBron James and Anthony Davis had developed an almost telepathic connection by March, and the four-month break actually helped their veteran-heavy roster recover physically. I've always believed that championship teams need at least two elite closers, and the Lakers had exactly that with James and Davis. Their defensive versatility, particularly with Davis's ability to guard all five positions, gave them matchup advantages against every potential playoff opponent. The supporting cast of veterans like Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, and Danny Green provided exactly the kind of playoff-tested stability that young teams often underestimate.
What many analysts missed about the Lakers' championship prospects was how perfectly their roster construction aligned with playoff basketball demands. In my experience studying championship teams, the regular season tests talent while the playoffs test specificity - having players who can execute specific actions against specific defenses in specific moments. The Lakers had multiple players who could attack closeouts, multiple defensive communicators, and multiple ball-handlers who could operate against pressure. Their half-court offense ranked in the 74th percentile according to Synergy Sports tracking data, which might not sound impressive until you consider that playoff basketball inevitably slows down and becomes more half-court oriented.
The Clippers presented the most intriguing counter-argument to the continuity theory. On talent alone, they arguably had the best top-six players in the league, but they never seemed to develop the collective identity that champions require. Kawhi Leonard's load management, while understandable given his injury history, prevented them from building the rhythm that the statement about "changing personnel" warns against. I watched several of their bubble games where they looked like strangers on both ends, particularly in their defensive rotations. Their championship odds should have been better than the +300 they were getting, but my instinct told me they were too reliant on individual talent overcoming systemic deficiencies.
Meanwhile, teams like the Toronto Raptors at +2000 and Miami Heat at +3000 offered tremendous value for bettors who understood the importance of continuity. The Raptors returned essentially the same core that won the 2019 championship, minus Kawhi Leonard but with the same defensive system and coaching philosophy. Nick Nurse's innovative schemes gave them advantages even without elite individual talent. The Heat, while younger, had developed an incredible culture under Erik Spoelstra that allowed them to outperform their individual talent level. I've always believed that coaching matters more in the playoffs than the regular season, and Spoelstra proved this again with his masterful adjustments throughout Orlando.
The financial aspect of championship betting often gets overlooked in analysis. Smart money doesn't just identify the most likely champion but finds value in the odds. While the Lakers and Bucks deserved their favorite status, the true value lay with teams like the Heat at 30-to-1. Miami's combination of elite coaching, defensive versatility, and emerging star in Bam Adebayo made them a dangerous playoff team despite their underdog status. Jimmy Butler's playoff experience and competitive fire gave them the closer they needed in tight games, something I valued more highly than most analysts did at the time.
As the playoffs progressed, the importance of that original statement about personnel changes became increasingly evident. Teams that had roster stability and established systems adapted better to the bubble environment than those that had made significant mid-season acquisitions. The Lakers' consistency in their rotations and defensive schemes gave them a clear advantage over teams that were still figuring out their identities. Watching them dismantle opponents with their defensive intensity reminded me of the 2008 Celtics team that prioritized defensive connectivity over individual offensive brilliance.
In retrospect, the championship odds perfectly reflected the public perception but underestimated the value of continuity in such an unusual season. The Lakers' victory validated what many basketball traditionalists have always known - that team chemistry and systematic consistency matter more than raw talent in playoff basketball. The statement about going "back to zero" when changing personnel proved prophetic, particularly when watching teams like the Clippers struggle with their inconsistent rotations and defensive communication. As we look toward future seasons, this lesson about continuity should inform how we evaluate championship contenders, especially in seasons disrupted by external factors. The teams that can maintain their core identity while adapting to unusual circumstances will always have the advantage, something the 2020 Lakers demonstrated perfectly throughout their championship run.