Ron Harper, a former teammate of Michael Jordan, openly challenged the validity of LeBron James’ 2020 NBA championship, referring to it dismissively as a “bubble gum ring.” His comments came after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a member of the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers, claimed the team could have secured additional titles if it had remained intact. Caldwell-Pope suggested that extending that roster might have settled the ongoing greatest of all time (GOAT) discussion between LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
Despite the Lakers disbanding much of that team following the 2020 season—with key players like Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, Danny Green, and Avery Bradley moving on—Caldwell-Pope expressed confidence the group’s chemistry placed LeBron on equal footing with Jordan, who has six NBA championships.
“I think if we kept that team together, we would’ve run off two more…,” Caldwell-Pope said on Howard’s podcast, ‘Above The Ring with D12’.
“There would be no more GOAT talk, that would’ve put [LeBron] at six.”
The Unique Challenges of Winning the 2020 NBA Title in the Orlando Bubble
The Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship was won during the COVID-19 pandemic in the NBA Bubble, an environment that removed fans and homecourt advantages while isolating players away from their families for months. This unprecedented setting has led some analysts and former players to view the championship with skepticism.
Ron Harper echoed this skepticism publicly on social media when responding to Caldwell-Pope’s remarks, writing:
“What 2020 title the bubble gum ring?”
Harper’s comment minimizes the difficulties the Lakers faced, despite many players and commentators recognizing the extreme mental and physical challenges of competing under those conditions.
Building a Strong Team Around LeBron James for the 2020 Championship Run
While often underrated, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 championship team was considered one of the most well-rounded squads of the past decade. Before the season’s suspension in March 2020, the Lakers held the best Western Conference record and maintained the top seed through the conclusion of the season in the Bubble.
LeBron James played a pivotal role, operating primarily as a point guard and delivering outstanding numbers with an average of 25.3 points and a career-high 10.2 assists per game. Anthony Davis provided elite defensive contributions, equating to Defensive Player of the Year caliber, while surrounded by versatile two-way players such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso, Avery Bradley, Danny Green, and Kyle Kuzma.
The frontcourt depth was further reinforced by Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee, helping safeguard the Lakers’ interior defense, which became a model for team-building strategies across the NBA. Many successful teams in recent years, including the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, have adopted similar balanced roster configurations emphasizing defense, athleticism, and versatility.
The Broader Impact of the 2020 Championship on the GOAT Debate and NBA Landscape
The argument over the greatest NBA player of all time remains highly contentious, with championship totals often central to the debate. Caldwell-Pope’s assertion that retaining the 2020 Lakers roster could have secured more titles for LeBron aims to challenge Michael Jordan’s dominance in this conversation.
Meanwhile, voices like Ron Harper’s highlight continued skepticism about the weight of the 2020 title due to its unique context. Considering LeBron James has not yet captured another championship since, the 2020 title remains a pivotal factor for fans and analysts weighing career legacies.
How this discussion evolves may influence how future teams are constructed and how player achievements are contextualized in an ever-changing NBA environment. The lasting recognition of the 2020 championship and its place in LeBron James’ storied career will likely be debated for years to come.