Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr says 2020 NBA champion doesn’t deserve asterisk

With the NBA continuing to formulate its plan to resume the 2019-20 season in Orlando, the 22 teams bubble teams are preparing for the unexpected.

The league has been on hiatus since March 11 due to to the pandemic. With the NBA aiming to restart in late July, teams will have no played a game more than three months as they vie for the NBA championship.

Golden State Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr —who has won eight championships combined as a player and coach— joined 95.7 The Game and was asked if the 2020 NBA title should come with an asterisk:

“The one thing I feel really strongly about is a championship under these conditions is gonna count. People are gonna want to put an asterisk next to it. There’s no asterisk in my mind. This is gonna be a brutally difficult journey to try and win a title.”

I mostly agree with Kerr that this will be a tough task for all teams involved. Players who make the trip to Orlando will face unprecedented circumstances to win a championship. Members of the rosters of the 16 playoff teams will not be able to see family members for roughly seven weeks, with players being urged not to leave the bubble.

Combining that with the long layoff, and condensed schedule, this will be one of the toughest championships to win in NBA history.

The only way I would put an asterisk next to the 2020 title is if one of main rotation players on a contending team if forced out of competition due to the coronavirus. Injuries are bound to happen any year in the playoffs, but if one of a team’s top-eight guys sits out due to a positive, it will definitely cheapen the championship.

One of the good things for players who participate in the bubble is the lack of travel. Players should be fresh to play every other day, without the strain of having to take a cross-country flight, meaning there should be plenty of energy during the games.

It is still simple for the 22 teams scheduled to be in Orlando: win. The champion still has to get to 16 victories capture the title.

Do you think the 2020 NBA championship should have an asterisk next to it in the history books? What do you think will be the toughest challenge for the 22 teams to overcome?

On to some more links:

Even though it didn’t end the way it should have, the 2015-16 season was special for Golden State. Warriors.com went back and came up with some of the best highlights from the 73-win Dubs.

Kerr’s ability to adapt has been second-to-none since taking over the Dubs’ head coaching role. He discussed how he handles players who spend too much time on their phones. (h/t Drew Shiller of NBC Bay Area)

General manager Bob Myers has a big hole to fill at the 5 spot. Fansided’s Tony Pesta since one big man on a Pacific Division rival could be the perfect fit.

Here is a feel good story: An 11-year-old kid from Iceland took part in the Warriors Kids Camp virtually, and got to learn from some of the best in the business. (CBS Bay Area.)