The COVID-19 pandemic had a massive impact on the NBA world and during the peak of its run, the league had to stop activity entirely. While the 2019-2020 season did resume later that summer, it was at a detriment to the Clippers, who were recently mocked for their inability to persevere through the ordeal.
Draymond: “There was reports that came out during that time where y’all were having meetings and the season stopped. The season stopping and people not wanting to play, they say that was from the Clippers. Is there any truth to that?”
KCP: “How in the hell you up 3-1, even if you talked about leaving, you up 3-1. Finish the job and go and lose in the next round!”
Draymond: “If you ask me, they left a championship sitting at the table…”
KCP: “I’ve heard it that, yeah, it did come from the Clippers. I don’t know who said it but those boys were ready to go. First team ready to go.”
Draymond: “That’s crazy. those boys left a golden opportunity sitting right there on the table and they never got it again.”
"They was ready to go"
—@CaldwellPope tells @Money23Green about the Clippers wanting to leave the NBA Bubble pic.twitter.com/V4KFOj7DrL
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) July 24, 2024
The Lakers ended up winning the 2020 NBA championship behind the greatness of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But before the league was forced to take a hiatus, the Clippers were considered one of the early frontrunners for the championship.
They finished 2nd in the West that season with a 49-23 record and both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George entered the postseason fully healthy and fully healthy after weeks of inactivity. On paper, they had the best roster in the West led by two All-Star wings and a core of veteran role-players like Lou Williams, Terance Mann, Montrezl Harrell, Ivica Zubac, and Marcus Morris. In the locker room, they were led by the esteemed and well-respected Doc Rivers, who is considered one of the best coaches of the modern NBA.
Despite all that they had going for them that year, the Clippers never advanced past the second round. After narrowly beating the Mavericks in the first round, they took a 3-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets to take control of the West Semi-Finals. They went on to lose the next three straight games in embarrassing fashion.
The Clippers, like every other team who qualified, were confined to a specified quarantine zone in the city of Orlando. The NBA tried its best to make the players comfortable by renting out a huge resort where they could live, work, and relax until the post-season was concluded.
It’s no secret that conditions in the bubble were not to the standard of many players, who felt trapped and miserable that they were unable to leave or see their families during the ordeal. Naturally, the conditions would be considered luxury living for most Americans but the Clippers (like many others) just couldn’t get locked in as things were.
The Clippers essentially gave up in that Nuggets series, and it’s a decision that many people around the league believe cost them a title. Of course, even after several more attempts, the Clippers were never able to redeem themselves and now Paul George is on a different team with a completely new set of teammates. The bubble in 2020 was really the best chance the Clippers had of a championship and they completely wasted it.
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