NBA champs should get asterisk for recognition, not disrespect

Earlier in May, when talking about how this year’s NBA champions will be viewed, Shaquille O’Neal said, “Any team that wins this year, there’s an asterisk; they’re not going to get the respect.”

It’s easy to naively agree with the Hall of Famer, but after some thought behind it; this year’s NBA champion should have an asterisk, but to show respect for winning while enduring during unprecedented circumstances.

On March 12, the NBA suspended the season, just a month and some days before the NBA playoffs were scheduled to begin. Since then, NBA players have been away from the game for months now. Some players may have had gym access throughout the coronavirus pandemic, but none have played an actual NBA game or participated in an actual practice for months.

Players have never faced an elongated hiatus right before playoff time. All the momentum and rhythm players had, is gone now.

It’s like a rest button, for the most part.

The 22 teams returning to play will basically reset and compete for an NBA championship. Something nobody has ever prepared for in NBA history.

To say this season’s champion wouldn’t be respected just doesn’t make sense. This is possibly the ultimate test of resiliency.

Can you come back and keep rolling like the Toronto Raptors were before the suspension? Which players will come back like they weren’t quarantined for months?

Which team will come back and get the job done?

Everybody is facing the same dilemma, and I doubt the hiatus will lower competition or performances. Yeah, players may have some rust come the first few games, but if anything, the unwanted break should have players itching to go get buckets. They’ve also had months of rest after playing 60 or more games, which could mean one of two things; fresh legs or fresh legs that are slightly out of game shape.

Either way, this season’s champion should be respected. Like I mentioned earlier, the momentum teams had going months ago is gone. It’s a new slate for everyone, making it anyone’s game. That aspect alone makes the return even more exciting.

With all that’s transpired during the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 champion should have an asterisk to signify the extraordinary feat.

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