« It wasn’t a real championship »: why Morey still refuses to validate LeBron’s title

The head of the Philadelphia 76ers stirred controversy this week by stating in The Athletic that the Lakers 2020 title, won under exceptional conditions at Walt Disney World Resort, cannot be considered a « real championship ». Daryl Morey has thus joined the skeptics who question the value of this 17th Purple & Gold title.

Sixers President Daryl Morey kept it real about the Lakers’ 2020 championship in the bubble 👀

(via The Athletic) pic.twitter.com/Q7JYdtVJsn

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 30, 2025

Comments that divide the NBA community

« If the Rockets had won the title, I would have undoubtedly celebrated it as legitimate, knowing the immense efforts and resilience required to achieve it, » explained Morey, who was then general manager of Houston. « However, everyone I speak with privately within the league agrees that this title cannot truly be considered authentic. »

The executive continued: « Perhaps the bubble’s most lasting legacy is that the NBA should be proud of its choices, both at the start and end of the pandemic, even if the champion will forever be marked with an asterisk. »

These statements provoked immediate reactions in the basketball world. Phil Handy, Lakers assistant coach in 2020 and now with Dallas, fired back on X: They can say whatever nonsense they want. If you weren’t in the bubble to win, you better keep quiet. Every team entered the bubble to fight and win. If Houston had beaten us and won the title, I’m sure they wouldn’t be saying it wasn’t real, lol.

A title earned under particular but deserved circumstances

Aware of the controversy generated by his comments, Morey tried to nuance his position with ClutchPoints: I’m frustrated. Of course, I respect this title. I defend it to people all the time. That’s what I want most.

It’s worth remembering that the Lakers had dominated the 2019-2020 season even before the pandemic interruption. The team had a 49-14 record and had convincingly beaten Milwaukee and the Clippers just before the championship suspension on March 11, 2020. In the playoffs, Los Angeles led 3-1 against Portland, Houston, Denver, and Miami before claiming the title.

Kendrick Perkins, former teammate of LeBron James, also defended the Lakers’ title on ESPN: « Why is Daryl Morey even talking about this? […] It was one of the greatest championships… and most difficult. » A position shared by the majority of players and executives in the league, who consider this championship perfectly legitimate despite the exceptional circumstances of the Orlando « bubble. »