But the question lingers. Is the Corona Champion legitimate? Will the Tampa Bay Lightning still be a Stanley Cup Champion if they hoist the Cup in a 5,000-seat college arena, skating past empty seats while the Red Hot Chili Peppers are played extra loud to drown out the crickets? Would Kevin Garnett’s legendary declaration of “Anything is possible!” rung out to the heavens the same way without a cheering crowd behind him? If Bill Russell was at home for his own safety instead of standing in the confetti shower with Garnett?
Maybe not. But the soul of the game is the playing of the game.