The NBA Finals have concluded and the Los Angeles Lakers have been crowned the 2019-20 champions. After outclassing the Miami Heat in a 106-93 game capping off a 4-2 series win, they were able to secure their first title in 10 years.
This championship further cements LeBron James’ legacy as one of the greatest players to ever step on the court. This was his fourth title in what was now his 10th Finals appearance.
Joey Fernandez
Sports Editor Intern
He averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists while making a Finals career high 59 percent of his shots, securing MVP honors. His superstar teammate Anthony Davis finished a close second.
In their first season together, this duo has already proven to be one of the best we’ve ever seen. Both James and Davis were named to the 2020 All-NBA First Team. For teammates to simultaneously receive that honor is almost unheard of.
This title specifically means so much more to L.A. than just a trophy, though. The championship comes just months after the death of Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. James and many other players were greatly impacted by Bryant, and they dedicated this season to him and his legacy.
As for the Miami Heat, they are still encouraged by the successes they had with their newly formed core this season.
Despite losing, the Heat, led by coach Erik Spoelstra, had a chance to win most of the games. Even with injuries to starting point guard Goran Dragic and starting center Bam Adebayo, they were able to make it a great series.
Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler had an NBA Finals performance of a lifetime despite the series loss. With multiple 30-plus-point triple doubles as well as averaging more than an excessive 43 minutes per game, he fought through exhaustion.
With Butler signed until 2023 and young players like Adebayo and Tyler Herro still on their rookie contracts, the Heat should be competitive for years to come.
With such an eventful season filled with uncertainties on and off the court, the NBA found a way to captivate sports fans all around the globe with their successful attempt at a “bubble” at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.
This facility was such a safe place for the players and personnel to stay that there were zero positive COVID tests. They even began to allow close family members into the bubble with the correct precautionary steps.
Overall, the NBA’s ability to put on a great show to take the global pandemic off of people’s minds and to do it in a safe, correct manner is worth applause in its own right.
With Davis likely to return next season, he and James could potentially torment the league for years to come. Even though James is already 35, age clearly doesn’t seem to be slowing down his dominance anytime soon.
