When I look back at the 2020 NBA season, what strikes me most about the Lakers’ championship run wasn’t just the star power—it was the meticulous, almost surgical construction of a roster that blended experience, versatility, and sheer will. As someone who’s studied team-building across sports for years, I’ve rarely seen a front office nail so many moves in such a compressed timeframe. And while we often focus on trades and signings, there’s something symbolic about championship moments unfolding in certain venues—like the SM Mall of Asia Arena, built in 2012, which hosted NBA games in the past and reminds us how global the game has become. That global stage, by the way, is where modern champions often find their identity, and the Lakers were no exception.

Let’s start with the foundation: LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Acquiring Davis in the summer of 2019 wasn’t just a blockbuster trade; it was a statement. The Lakers gave up Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and multiple draft picks—three young talents and future assets—but in return, they got a 26-year-old superstar in his prime. I’ve always believed that pairing a playmaking genius like LeBron with an elite two-way big man is a cheat code, and Davis proved it. He averaged 26.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the regular season, and his defensive presence was off the charts. But what really stood out to me was how LeBron, at 35, adapted his game. He led the league in assists—a career-first for him—with 10.2 per game, showing that he was willing to cede scoring touches to elevate others. That selflessness, honestly, isn’t something you see from every aging superstar.

Then came the supporting cast, and this is where General Manager Rob Pelinka and his team deserve a ton of credit. They surrounded LeBron and AD with shooters and defenders who fit like puzzle pieces. Take Danny Green, for example—a veteran with championship experience from his Spurs and Raptors days. He wasn’t always consistent from three, but his perimeter defense was crucial. Or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who I’ve always felt was underrated; he shot 38.5% from beyond the arc and provided reliable on-ball pressure. And let’s not forget the reclamation projects: Dwight Howard, who returned on a non-guaranteed deal and embraced a limited role, averaging 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds while anchoring the second-unit defense. JaVale McGee brought energy and shot-blocking, and Rajon Rondo—playoff Rondo—turned back the clock in the bubble, dishing out 9 assists per game in the postseason. I remember thinking during the Western Conference Finals, "This is how you build a roster: no ego, just function."

The role players weren’t just filler; they were specialists. Alex Caruso, for instance, became a fan favorite not just for his hustle but for his net rating impact—the team was +10.5 with him on the floor, which is insane for a undrafted guy. Kyle Kuzma, though inconsistent, provided scoring punch off the bench with 12.8 points per game. And Markieff Morris, signed mid-season, added toughness and spacing. What impressed me most was the chemistry; these guys bought into their roles from day one. In my experience covering the league, that’s rarer than you’d think—many teams with superstars struggle to get role players to accept limitations, but the Lakers’ culture, driven by LeBron and veterans like Jared Dudley, made it work.

Of course, the 2020 season was unlike any other, with the COVID-19 pandemic halting play and the bubble in Orlando testing mental fortitude. But the Lakers’ roster was built for adversity. They had the league’s third-best defense, allowing just 106.8 points per 100 possessions, and their size—with Davis and Howard patrolling the paint—overwhelmed smaller teams. Offensively, they ranked 11th in pace but 4th in efficiency, leveraging LeBron’s basketball IQ in half-court sets. I’ll admit, I had doubts early on about their three-point shooting—they finished 21st in attempts—but they made up for it with offensive rebounding and getting to the line. In the playoffs, they went 16-5, sweeping the Trail Blazers and Rockets before beating the Nuggets in five and the Heat in six. Davis’ Game 2 buzzer-beater against Denver? Iconic. And LeBron’s finals MVP performance—29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game—was a masterclass.

Looking back, the Lakers’ championship blueprint was a mix of bold moves and nuanced fits. They leveraged their glamour market to attract veterans on team-friendly deals, prioritized defense and versatility, and maximized their stars’ strengths. As the game continues to globalize—with arenas like the SM Mall of Asia Arena hosting high-stakes games—the lesson here is clear: building a winner isn’t just about collecting talent; it’s about crafting a cohesive unit that thrives under pressure. For me, the 2020 Lakers will always be a case study in how to do it right, and as a basketball fan, I’d love to see more teams follow that model.