In a recent appearance on the ‘Above The Rim’ podcast with former Lakers star Dwight Howard, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss left the door open for the possibility of a future celebration for the 2020 championship team. When Howard, who was a key part of the Lakers’ 2020 title run, asked if the team could ever get the parade they missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Buss replied:
“Okay, well, don’t rule it out. Maybe someday, like someday something will make sense. So I’ll never close the door 100%. Like something will make sense.”
The 2020 Lakers were arguably one of the most unique NBA championship teams in recent history, not just because of their performance on the court, but because of the unprecedented circumstances they faced off it. The team won the title in the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida, after the season was paused for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the Lakers earned their 17th championship, tying them with the Boston Celtics for the most in league history, the typical post-championship celebrations—namely the victory parade—never happened.
At the time, large public gatherings were banned, and the world was grappling with the pandemic’s devastating impact. Los Angeles, in particular, had strict restrictions in place, making it impossible for the Lakers to host the type of massive parade that had been synonymous with their previous championships. The Lakers’ players, staff, and fans were left to celebrate the victory largely through virtual platforms, and the team never received the full celebration they earned.
While the Milwaukee Bucks, who won the 2021 championship, were able to hold a parade due to the availability of vaccines and eased restrictions, the 2020 Lakers never had the chance to celebrate in front of their fans. Howard’s question about the possibility of a future parade for the 2020 team touches on a sentiment that many Lakers fans and players have expressed—there is a lingering feeling that the title, though recognized and cherished, was never celebrated properly.
Many key players from the 2020 championship team, such as Dwight Howard, Avery Bradley, DeMarcus Cousins, JaVale McGee, Jared Dudley, Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, and JR Smith, have either retired or are no longer playing in the NBA. While a parade featuring the full roster might be impossible now, Buss’s willingness to consider a future event suggests that there could still be a moment where the team and its fans are able to come together to commemorate that extraordinary season.
Jeanie Buss’s comments give hope to Lakers fans who feel that the 2020 title deserves more recognition. While she did not commit to a specific plan, her openness to the idea means that, perhaps, one day, the City of Los Angeles will see a celebration that honors the 2020 Lakers for their perseverance and success under the most challenging of circumstances. For Lakers fans, that’s a glimmer of hope that their championship team might finally get the parade they deserve.
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