In a candid chat on the ‘Club520 podcast,’ NBA veteran Grant Williams shared some intriguing stories about LeBron James' experience during the NBA bubble. Williams claimed that while most players were confined to their rooms, LeBron had his own luxurious setup, complete with all the comforts one could imagine.
“LeBron had the penthouse on the top with wine… he had a house on the campus,” Williams recounted. “LeBron legit had his own setup. They were taken care of.”
The NBA bubble was the league's innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept the globe in early 2020. After halting the regular season, the NBA resumed play under strict conditions, confining teams to a quarantine zone in Orlando, Florida.
However, LeBron’s teammate, Markieff Morris, offered a different perspective. He took to social media to clarify that LeBron was in a room just like everyone else. Morris shared that they were neighbors and often played video games together.
“Lol cap he was two doors down from me! Dog was locked down just like the rest of us,” Morris wrote.
“We had a Madden league. We played all the games in his room.
We was damn near gaming all night!”
Despite the challenging conditions, LeBron made the most of his downtime by connecting with his teammates. Engaging in simple activities like playing Madden helped the Lakers build chemistry and maintain morale during this unprecedented time.
That Lakers squad went on to clinch the championship, navigating one of the most unusual NBA playoffs ever. Despite empty arenas and restrictive conditions, they triumphed, largely due to LeBron’s leadership.
As for Williams’ claims, it’s possible that the Lakers had some sort of private space for team bonding. Regardless, the Lakers’ ability to turn adversity into advantage marked a significant chapter in NBA history, with LeBron’s leadership playing a pivotal role in their success.