Los Angeles Lakers: 2020 NBA Champions!
With their 106-93 win over the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Orlando, on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to seal their 17th NBA championship.
LeBron James led the way with his 11th NBA Finals triple-double, recording 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Anthony Davis added 19 points and 15 rebounds. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be the first pair of teammates since Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in the 2002 postseason to finish 1st and 2nd in post-season scoring.
Bam Adebayo led the heat with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while Jimmy Butler added in 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Miami began the quarter on an 11-3 and the Lakers called timeout with the lead down to 21 points. (8:37) During the second quarter, the Lakers outscored the Miami Heat 36-16 to take a 28 point lead, the second-largest half-time lead in NBA Finals history, while Butler and Crowder lead the Heat with eight points each. This game, the lakers managed to exceed expectations with their immense amount of effort and energy. The Lakers soon extended the lead to 22 points. (58-34) The Heat soon scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter however, the Lakers still remained up in front with a score of 87-65 (9:37)
The Lakers outscored the Heat 11-0 in the first quarter with LeBron James scoring 9 points in transition, his most in any post-season quarter since ESPN started tracking in 2014.
The Lakers emptied the bench with 103-86 lead as they closed in on their 17th championship.
The most triple-doubles in Finals’ history has LeBron sitting at the top with 11, Magic Johnson with 8, and Draymond Green with 8. LeBron brought up his 11th Finals triple-double to 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists but was yet to commit a turnover.
How was this season different? After the news was broadcasted and the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Giovanni, along with seven others was announced, Dwight Howard woke his teammates to share the news during a plane flight. Before leaving each other and departing onto their own flights, the players cried and hugged each other due to the news. The team was now dedicated to being a living tribute to Kobe, never being allowed to forget his loss. The players even wore the black snake-printed jerseys he designed.
What LeBron didn’t consider, was how he was going to find another MVP player to play with. After several others mentioned that they didn’t want to work with James, there was the process of getting Anthony Davis. Although Davis didn’t have a MVP title to his name — he was an MVP level talent that made James want him to become his teammate. James had to ensure devotion so that the duo would be a strong force starting from day one.
The duo is combing to average 55.5 points, 19.6 rebounds and 12.5 assists per game this postseason with each player making more than half his field-goal attempts. Whether it’s Miami or Boston, the two would still be the most dynamic players on the court each game in the NBA finals. The duo is also the most connected. James wouldn’t leave the arena until Anthony Davis would. James would sit and watch his teammate answer questions until the two could leave the building together.
LeBron James also ended up being named Bill Russell Finals MVP for the fourth time in his career after another performance in a closeout game.
Nearing the end of Game 6, with two minutes remaining, the Lakers checked out and prepared to celebrate. Anthony Davis had wandered to the back of the arena with James following behind. James teased Davis for being soft for crying but soon emerged with Jame’s arm wrapped around Davis, with bout of them bouncing and grinning. This reminded James of what it felt like winning his first championship.
The efforts and determination had paid off for the Los Angeles Lakers as they went home with their NBA championship for the 17th time.
Featured Image Los Angeles Lakers Celebrate Together for their Win on the 2020 NBA Finals Courtesy of LATimes.com
by Arianna Steinau