LA Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship. This title was the best presentation of their star, LeBron James, to the late Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers secured the 17th title after defeating the dark horse team, Miami Heat 106-93 in the sixth game at the AdventHealth Arena, Monday (12/10). The result made the Lakers win 4-2 in the NBA Finals in best of seven format.
James led the Lakers to victory after a disappointing performance for failing to qualify for last season’s playoffs. This title also blew the clouds from a decade’s drought and Bryant’s departure.
Last season, James had to undergo one of his worst seasons. The 35-year-old star cannot afford the heavy burden that fans have placed on his shoulders.
James, who was expected to lift the team’s performance, fell. James was unable to lift the performance of a team that did appear unstable in the 2019 NBA.
That disappointing performance led to a change of coach. Luke Walton is replaced by Frank Vogel.
Not only the ranks of coaches, the changes also reached the players. Anthony Davis was brought in from the New Orleans Pelicans and exchanged with three players at once, namely Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart.
The changes are paying off on the ground. The Lakers are starting to look like a team ready to win, on a par with city rivals the LA Clippers who brought in two stars, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
James et al also stepped smoothly into the playoffs as rulers of the Western region. The wish to end the decade-long fasting for titles also came to the fore.
Amid optimism for the title, sad news came to the Staples Center. The icon and living legend, Bryant, died tragically in a helicopter crash in California, United States, January 26, 2020.
Bryant passed away with his beloved daughter, Gianna. There were no passengers who survived the terrible accident.
When a tribute ceremony for Bryant was held, James promised to continue what the ‘Black Mamba’ had given the Lakers. The legacy James wanted to protect for Bryant whom he had considered his own brother.
“Kobe is like a big brother to me. The fact that I’m here now means a lot to me,” said James on February 1.
“I want to continue with my legacy, not only this year but as long as possible as long as we can play the basketball game we love because that’s what Kobe Bryant wants.”
The meaning of this legacy has a broad definition. However, one of those legacies was the title Bryant once awarded the Lakers.
Bryant is the owner of five NBA champion rings. Bryant won all the titles with the Lakers, a team he played for 20 years (1996-2016).
Seven months later, James kept his promise. The former Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player gave the Lakers their first title.
Throughout the playoffs, James also performed brilliantly. James averaged 34.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 64 percent successful shots from inside the perimeter and 45 percent successful shots from the three-point zone.
However, that statistic is no more important than the fourth title in James’ career. The 2020 NBA trophy is James’ most beautiful offering to Bryant.
