Can the Lakers Defy the 2020 NBA Championship Odds and Claim the Title?
2025-11-17 14:01
When I first saw the oddsmakers placing the Lakers at +1200 to win the 2020 NBA Championship back in March, I have to admit I raised an eyebrow. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've learned that championship teams aren't built on paper—they're forged through chemistry, resilience, and that intangible championship DNA. The Lakers' journey this season reminds me of something I witnessed at a completely different sporting event last year. I was attending the grand opening of a new billiards hall where among the guests were Reyes' longtime pal and fellow world champion Django Bustamante, Jeffrey de Luna, Ronnie Alcano, and Rubilen Amit. Watching these world-class pool players, I was struck by how similar championship mentality translates across different sports.
What stood out that evening wasn't just individual talent—though the gathering included multiple world champions—but how each player brought something unique to the table while understanding their role in the larger ecosystem of the sport. Bustamante, with his decades of experience, moved around the table with the same calculated precision that LeBron James displays on the basketball court. The younger players like Jeffrey de Luna demonstrated flashes of brilliance that reminded me of Anthony Davis' game-changing defensive plays. This blend of veteran wisdom and youthful excellence creates the perfect storm for championship contention, whether we're talking about billiards or basketball.
The Lakers' current roster construction fascinates me because it mirrors what makes championship teams across different sports successful. LeBron James, at 35 years young, is playing like he's discovered the fountain of youth, averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and a league-leading 10.6 assists before the season suspension. Anthony Davis has been nothing short of spectacular, putting up 26.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while anchoring our defense. But here's what many analysts miss—the supporting cast has developed a cohesion that reminds me of those championship Lakers teams from the 2000s. Players like Danny Green, who's been there before with the Spurs and Raptors, provide that crucial playoff experience that simply can't be quantified on a stat sheet.
Let me be perfectly honest—I've never been a pure analytics guy. Numbers tell part of the story, but they don't capture the heart of a champion. When I watched Django Bustamante execute a particularly difficult bank shot during that exhibition match, it wasn't just about the physics of the shot—it was about thirty years of muscle memory, intuition, and competitive fire. LeBron possesses that same quality. His basketball IQ is off the charts, and in playoff situations where every possession matters, that experience becomes invaluable. The Lakers have played 63 games this season, but the real season begins in the playoffs, and that's where I believe our veteran leadership gives us a distinct advantage over younger teams like the Bucks or Clippers.
The Western Conference presents a brutal path to the Finals, there's no denying that. The Clippers matchup particularly worries me—they've beaten us twice in three meetings this season. Kawhi Leonard has proven he can carry a team through the playoffs, and Paul George, when healthy, is a two-way force. But here's what gives me confidence: the Lakers have shown they can elevate their game against elite competition. Our Christmas Day victory against the Clippers demonstrated that when we're locked in defensively and moving the ball, we can beat anyone. The two-month break, while disruptive, might have actually helped our older roster recover and recharge for the final push.
I've always believed that championship teams need to overcome adversity, and the Lakers have certainly had their share this season. The tragic loss of Kobe Bryant in January could have derailed our season, but instead, it seemed to galvanize the team. I saw a resilience in those games following the tragedy that reminded me of what makes champions across different sports. When I spoke briefly with Rubilen Amit at that billiards event, she mentioned how losing the World Championships in 2018 made her 2019 victory that much sweeter. That perspective—using setbacks as fuel—is what separates good teams from great ones.
The bubble environment in Orlando creates unprecedented challenges, but I actually think it favors veteran teams with strong leadership. Without home court advantage and the distractions of travel, the playoffs become purely about basketball—strategy, execution, and mental toughness. The Lakers have several players who've been through multiple playoff battles, and that institutional knowledge matters more in this unique format. LeBron has played in 260 playoff games—that's more than three full regular seasons worth of experience in high-pressure situations. When games get tight in the fourth quarter, that experience becomes the difference between winning and losing.
My prediction? The Lakers have about a 35% chance of winning it all—better than the oddsmakers suggest but still facing significant hurdles. The Bucks have been dominant all season, with Giannis putting up MVP numbers, but I question their half-court offensive execution in tight playoff games. The Clippers have the talent but haven't shown the consistent chemistry that champions typically display. The Lakers need three things to go their way: health, consistent three-point shooting, and for Anthony Davis to dominate every night. If those elements align, I genuinely believe we have what it takes to raise banner number 17 to the rafters. The journey won't be easy, but as I learned watching those world champion pool players, greatness rarely follows the predictable path. It's forged in pressure moments, built through trust in teammates, and realized when talent meets opportunity. The Lakers have the talent—now it's about seizing the opportunity that this strange, unprecedented season has presented.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
