By: Justin Valencia
The idea of putting an asterisk beside this year’s eventual NBA champion has always been there since the “bubble” concept was announced.
Some said that it deserves to have an asterisk because winning the title this season is entirely different from winning it in the normal way, with home-court advantage and fans factoring in.
Mocking who would win the Larry O’Brien trophy looks like would be a norm for being different — just like during lockout seasons.
But Glen Rice, who had a long 15-year career in the NBA, thinks otherwise.
He said the eventual champions deserve all the respect for winning the bubble, which is foreign to everybody since this is the first time the concept has been used due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think you will see a lot of people saying something different, perhaps having that asterisk but I think more importantly, what they need to realize is that this is different and I am talking about it in a positive way,” said Rice during the NBA Republika Playoffs Party press conference.
“I think if you can get a champion out of everything that’s going on that’s really easy to distract you from basketball, I think that’s a huge plus for these guys.”
The one-time NBA champion also said it just goes to show how dedicated the players and coaches are, still playing despite the pandemic lingering around.
With the pandemic still around and with no vaccine yet, Rice believes that the NBA bubble will aid people to get through this.
“It is definitely gonna be different but I think that it’s the type of medicine everyone needs right.”
And the NBA legend tips his hat off to the NBA for putting up the bubble concept to continue giving the best entertainment amid the pandemic.
“The NBA has done a tremendous job on trying to bring basketball back to the world and them in the bubble right now is the safest place for you to enjoy the show and it’s gonna be a good show.”
