23-07-2025
Michael Jordan's Former Teammate Slams 'Bubble Ring' That LeBron James Won With The Lakers
Michael Jordan's Former Teammate Slams 'Bubble Ring' That LeBron James Won With The Lakers originally appeared on Fadeaway World.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is one of the most criticized individuals in sports. Since he arrived in the league, James' every move has been closely scrutinized, and every achievement put under a microscope. This was seen again when Michael Jordan's former teammate, Ron Harper, slammed James' fourth NBA title. He tweeted:
"The bubble ring is just that! A bubble ring… trash.'
Harper's comments echo the sentiments of many media personalities and critics, who have routinely chosen to dismiss the validity of the 2020 NBA championship.
In a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought league activities to a halt, the NBA managed to restart functioning by moving all its games to the NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
In a massive effort to get fans enthusiastic about NBA basketball, the league pulled out all the stops and got the players to participate in one of the most unique and challenging environments in modern sports.
In many ways, the Bubble saw the resurgence of the purest form of basketball. With no crowds, no distractions, and no clear-cut advantages, every team was forced to play the game. While some teams flourished, others collapsed under the mental pressure of being away from their families and the restrictive living conditions.
Many players who participated in the Bubble claim that it was one of the hardest experiences of their careers, lending credibility to the Lakers' title run. But several former players and naysayers continue to discredit it.
In the case of Harper, there is a little more than just personal opinion involved. Having been teammates with Michael Jordan, the 5x NBA champ is simply strengthening the case for his former teammate's place as the undisputed GOAT.
The GOAT debate has also become one of the more exhausting conversations in the NBA. With Jordan's unparalleled legacy of going 6-0 in the NBA Finals going up against James' sustained brilliance and longevity, the debate itself has spawned several counterarguments, with little resolution in sight.
The Lakers' 2020 title run truly was something special. Even before the lockdown, the Purple and Gold had put up some terrific performances, securing their place at the top of the Western Conference leaderboard.
That season, James was nothing short of masterful. In his second season with the Lakers, the forward put up an average of 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and a league-high 10.2 assists per game. His leadership and brilliance continued in the postseason, eventually culminating in a title and a Finals MVP award.
Since his 2020 title, James has struggled to recreate similar postseason results. Apart from the team's WCF appearance two years ago, the Lakers have seen early-playoff exits among other disappointing showings.
This has largely been detrimental to James' legacy, especially in the current scenario, as the Lakers seem to be pivoting from their "win-now" timeline, with Luka Doncic becoming the focal point for the future.
As the Purple and Gold set their sights on future free agency classes, along with James' uncertain future with the team, the current trajectory does not favor the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
