Recap

lalkding

They set themselves up with plenty of time to digest the magnitude of their
  accomplishment in those last game moments by building the second-largest
  halftime lead in the NBA Finals history. The ending was a long time coming in
  that sense—and in many other ways, too. After the final buzzer and just before
  the confetti flew, LeBron James reveled in the embraces of teammates on the
  court, and Anthony Davis sat alone nearby with his eyes buried in a towel.

Led by James and Davis in their first season together, the Lakers won the 2020
  NBA championship Sunday with a 106-93 rout of the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the
  NBA Finals. It was a unique accomplishment for this tightly knit group
  isolated for 95 consecutive days in Florida, playing a season that covered
  more than a calendar year because of the pandemic.

James spoke afterward about the incomparable elation of seeing teammates
  become champions—and explained how his personal sentiment is shaped by how
  long his journey goes.

“Live about the process,” James said, “and see the results. … We all live for
  that moment.”

It was a long time coming also for the legions of Lakers fans, who are frankly
  unaccustomed to going a decade without an NBA championship and rejoicing at
  the return to glory now.

The Lakers’ only other such drought in the past 50 years started after their
  1987-88 NBA championship won in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s age-40 season, the
  penultimate season of his career. It’s fair to start wondering whether James,
  who turns 36 in December, can produce that kind of excellence in longevity. It
  would likely see him overtake Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time leading
  scorer despite losing much of 2019 to injury and 2020 to the pandemic.

James was this team’s true captain, offering “must-win” text messages to
  teammates to spur their Game 4 and Game 6 victories. He delivered 28 points,
  14 rebounds and 10 assists against just one turnover Sunday after urging his
  teammates to “treat it like it was Game 7.”

James made the most of this entire bubble opportunity the NBA created to
  finish his second Lakers season. He became the only players besides
  Abdul-Jabbar and legendary Boston Celtics Bill Russell and Sam Jones to appear
  in 10 NBA Finals series. Once there, he earned his fourth Bill Russell NBA
  Finals MVP award, but his first with the Lakers—a distinction that matters to
  him.

James came via free agency to join the list of great Lakers champions rather
  than shiver in fear of their shadow. It’s why in a long embrace with Lakers
  governor Jeanie Buss on the court Sunday that James said he offered this
  sentiment: “I’m proud to be a Laker.”

It’s why Buss said on the Spectrum SportsNet postgame show about James: “A
  Laker through and through.”

Unlike many of his peers who went anti-bandwagon when it came to successful
  franchises, James has long been a fan of the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys
  and Lakers.

“I’m a supporter of winners,” he once said.

James had said last week that it’s particularly meaningful for him to help
  Buss to her first championship as Lakers governor. He referred to her as “an
  incredible owner” and “a powerful woman.”

“I’m just honored to be a part of it,” James said. “I love the history of the
  game, and I've read so much about Dr. Buss and his teams and his success. To
  be playing while his daughter is the owner of the team, I think is pretty
  cool.”

James averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists in the NBA Finals in
  his 17th professional season.

“He’s the greatest player the basketball universe has ever seen,” Lakers coach
  Frank Vogel said Sunday night.

The clinching victory showcased several facets of the jewel that Vogel
  polished this season: players starring in their roles, bouncing back after any
  defeat, suffocating defense played till exhaustion.

Rajon Rondo had told everyone in the team meeting Saturday: “If we’re going to
  win a championship, it has to be with defense.”

That’s how the Lakers’ lead swelled to 28 points by halftime, with surprise
  starter Alex Caruso adding to the team’s perimeter agility.

The last time the Lakers won a title, Rondo was on the other other team. He is
  the only player on either the Lakers or Boston Celtics from the 2010 NBA
  Finals who is still an active player in the league—and on Sunday he again
  looked an awful lot like the same player as back then. Sharp with decisions
  and his finishes at the rim after puppeteer mastery in manipulating the Heat
  defense to create the openings he sought, Rondo finished with 19 points and
  four assists off the bench.

Davis added 18 points, but his all-out defense and 15 rebounds were crucial.
  As usual, it all revolved around Davis and James.

Recalling that previous lull in championships for the Lakers, after Magic
  Johnson led them to the 1988 title, it wasn’t until 2000 when the Lakers won
  again. It was because of what Shaquille O’Neal came to call in himself and
  Kobe Bryant the “greatest Laker one-two punch ever,” which is saying
  something.

Johnson, whose work in the front office with Rob Pelinka turned the direction
  of the franchise, helped bring James to town—and Pelinka did the deal to trade
  for Davis. The traditions of tremendous Lakers tandems and dominant big men
  certainly continued with this title. But Davis was someone who ranked first in
  the league in loose balls recovered while towering at the rim, too.

The harmony between the two set the tone for this team. James even said after
  winning the title: “I want A.D. to be better than me.”

“Respect. True friendship,“ said Davis, who won his first championship at age
  27—same as legendary winners James and Michael Jordan. “We’re just two guys
  who want to win. We were able to do it tonight.”

What they did was something Jerry Buss mentioned often wanting to accomplish:
  a 17th all-time title, matching the Celtics for the most in league history.
  The Lakers returned to the top, creating yet another formula for building a
  team around two stars, and committing to find an ultimate positive at a time
  in the world when there had been plenty of negative.

“It’s remarkable,” Kyle Kuzma said. “We are such a mentally tough team.
  Everybody sacrificed something for the betterment of the team.”

star-power-defense-lift-lakers-to-title-clinching-game-6-victory

Star power, defense lift Lakers to title-clinching Game 6 victory

lalswong

The Lakers fell to the Heat 108 – 111 in what was a true Finals battle. The two best teams in the league went blow for blow, tallying a staggering seven lead changes in the last three minutes of play. Los Angeles tied their team postseason high with 25 fast-break points (8/24 at POR). LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 60+ points for the 22nd time as teammates, losing their second game in those scenarios (20-2). The duo became the seventh pair of teammates to each record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in an NBA Finals Game and the first since June 4, 2017 (S. Curry/K. Durant vs. CLE).

LeBron James finished with 40 points (15-21 FG, 6-9 3FG), 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 42 minutes, marking the eighth time he has scored at least 40 points in an NBA Finals game. The performance marked his fifth Finals game with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds, tying Shaquille O’Neal for most such games in NBA history. James (35 years, 284 days old) passed Michael Jordan (35 years, 117 days) as the oldest player to score at least 40 points in an NBA Finals game, according to StatHead Basketball. His six three-pointers were his highest total of the 2020 NBA Playoffs and mark a career high in the NBA Finals. James appeared in the 259th playoff game of his career, tying Derek Fisher for most in NBA history. James scored 20+ points in a single half of an NBA Finals game for the 21st time of his career (21, first half), the most such times for any player over the last 50 seasons, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Anthony Davis tallied 28 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks in 42 minutes, good for his 11th double-double of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Davis became the fifth player since at least 1983-84 to tally 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 3+ assists, 3+ steals and 3+ blocks in an NBA Finals game (joining T. Duncan, K. Durant, L. James, D. Wade), according to StatHead Basketball.

heat-take-game-5-lakers-lead-series-3-2

Heat Take Game 5, Lakers Lead Series 3-2

Mike Trudell

It was nervous time for nearly 43 minutes, but the Lakers finished 102-96 over
  the Miami Heat. The Purple and Gold are now up 3-1 in the NBA Finals.

Los Angeles and Miami tugged back and forth for the entire game, but the Lake
  Show tightened their grip and took the game in the final minutes. Their
  defense set the expectation that this Game 4 was no surrender.

LeBron James (28 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists) and Anthony Davis (22 points,
  9 rebounds) performed under pressure. The inside-outside tandem dictated the
  Lakers formidable defense. You could feel the LeBron-Chasedown in your bones.
  And AD taking on Miami’s strong shooters was magnificent. The Brow and team
  held Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson to under 25 points
  respectively. Coach Frank Vogel switched to a small-ball lineup, and with the
  presence of Markieff Morris (9 points) his scheme was successful.

Overall, the King’s vision was dialed in on every facet of the floor. He was
  hot from three and looked like he loved splitting the defense — as Miami
  continued to pack the paint. And even with an abnormally quiet first half, the
  King continued to do the little things as his teammates stepped up and took
  charge.

There is one thing LBJ did and always does without fail: collects the ball and
  gets moving in transition. Similarly, AD was right there when Bron wasn’t
  grabbing the rebound and gave his offense momentum to fire up something
  special.

When the duo wasn’t waiting for the ball under the rim, it was Rajon Rondo
  stepping up to do his team a solid defensively. With 7 rebounds, Rondo made it
  abundantly apparent that as a point guard he’s quite comfortable on the glass.
  As his no-look passes and frequent steals have probably let on, Doe is as
  svelte as he is calculated.

On the topic of calculated, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (15 points, 5 assists)
  and Danny Green (10 points) played with such purpose this game. Their shooting
  accuracy brought a much-needed consistency to their squad.

Caldwell-Pope, in particular, was a sensational spark. It was KCP in the final
  minutes of the fourth with a triple and then a drive that notified the city of
  Los Angeles the game was theirs.

Both teams were desperate tonight — that was evident. “We needed every second
  from the bench,” LeBron stressed. They got that and some. The Lakers need one
  more game to grab their 17th title. “We understand what’s at stake,” James
  said after the game. They have their shot Friday night.

lakers-battle-to-defeat-heat-behind-james-davis-and-caldwell-pope

Lakers Battle to Defeat Heat Behind James, Davis and Caldwell-Pope

admin

The Heat came out firing Sunday night in Orlando, building multiple double digit leads throughout the contest. This marks the Lakers’ first loss in this year’s NBA Finals. The Lakers are now 2-1 on the series. The Lakers bench tied a team postseason-high with 53 points, tied for the second-most bench points in an NBA Finals game since starters were first tracked in 1970-71, according to Elias Sports Bureau. It was the 15th occasion this season in which the reserves combined for 50+ points, and the second of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Sunday’s contest marked the first loss for the Lakers this postseason when making more three-pointers (10-1) or attempting more free throws (8-1) than their opponent.

LeBron James tallied 25 points (9-16 FG), 10 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in 39 minutes, good for the 125th double-double of his postseason career. The performance marked his 23rd NBA Finals game with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds, tying Elgin Baylor for most all-time. With his second assist of the night, James passed John Stockton for second on the NBA’s all-time playoffs assists list. With his second field goal of the night, James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second on the NBA Finals all-time field goals made list.

Markieff Morris recorded 19 points, six rebounds and two assists as he finished a team-high +10 in 25 minutes off the bench.  Morris converted a postseason career-high five three-pointers, tying the most triples made by a Lakers player in a single game during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Kyle Kuzma scored a postseason career-high 19 points (4-8 3FG) along with three rebounds in 23 minutes.

lakers-fall-to-heat-104-115

Lakers Fall to Heat 104 – 115

Joey Ramirez

With a 124-114 win over the Miami Heat, the Lakers are now undefeated in their
  Kobe City Edition uniforms and up 2-0 in the NBA Finals. “It's always special
  to represent someone that meant so much,” LeBron stated of the team’s passion
  while wearing Kobe Bryant’s uniform.

From the start, the Lake Show took hold of Game 2 and didn’t look back. All
  and all, Miami looked to decrease the margin at times but were unsuccessful in
  terms of ever taking a lead. For the second game in this series, Miami
  occupied the paint and dared the Lakers to shoot and score from the perimeter.
  The team took a Playoff record-breaking 47 shots from three. But they were
  most successful penetrating the paint. The Lake Show broke 100 points by the
  third quarter. This undertaking was led by two men dressed in black.

Anthony Davis (32 points, 14 rebounds) was powerful. The Brow was 15-for-20
  from the field. To reiterate, he missed a total of five shots in his forty
  minutes played. He scored nearly 50% of his shots right under the rim, but
  whether he was planted in the paint, pulling up, or crafting a mid-range
  jumper, Davis decided where and how he would score. And knew exactly where to
  collect the ball in case his teammates didn’t. Coach Frank Vogel says of AD,
  the offensive weapon: “I don’t know if he gets higher than the way he’s
  playing now, he’s playing great.”

The second half of the power duo, LeBron James (33 points, 9 assists, 9
  rebounds) was locked in. LeBron announced that he was up until 4:30 am
  watching film from Game 1. The King was fully equipped this Friday night. He
  stated postgame, “It never gets old being on this stage.” His intensity makes
  it evident; he doesn’t take one minute for granted. Leading the fast break and
  infiltrating the paint were top of No. 23’s mind. His interior passes broke
  Miami’s zone defense wide open and spread the scoring wealth. Sharing the
  wealth specifically to his playmaker partner-in-crime Rajon Rondo (16 points,
  10 assists).

Rondo advanced again on the All-time assists list, now sitting at No. 6. His
  performance was calculated, always a step ahead he dished out dimes for 26
  minutes with ease. Alongside Manu Ginobili, Doe is now the only other player
  in 35 seasons to clock in 15 points and 10 assists off the bench in a Finals
  game.

With each victory the team remains humble and focused. LBJ acknowledged
  postgame, “It's a great team that we’re playing and we understand that.”
  LeBron plans on reviewing Game 2 just as he reviewed Game 1, stating, “I’m
  looking forward to watching the film once again and seeing how we can do
  better.” The Lakers need two more to take the title. Game 3 is Sunday.

lakers-garner-game-2-behind-strong-davis-james

Lakers Garner Game 2 Behind Strong Davis & James

It was a moment in time basketball fans weren’t sure they’d see, but tonight
  was the start of the 2020 NBA Finals. Representing the West, the Los Angeles
  Lakers defeated the East-coast contenders, the Miami Heat, 116-98 in Game 1.

The Heat started the game on fire. The Lakers faced a 13-point deficit in the
  first quarter. Then, everything changed; being down fired the Lakers up.

Specifically, Anthony Davis (34 points, 9 rebounds) could not be stopped. He
  was so aggressive off the boards that the world witnessed yet another
  spectacular AD, 30+ game from the bubble. Tonight, Davis tied Lakers Legend
  Elgin Baylor for third-most points in a Finals debut in Lakers history — right
  behind George Mikan and Shaquille O’Neal It was pure: step, fire, hit, step,
  fire, hit from the big fella. And this was the same pattern for every player
  repping the Purple and Gold as the Lakers went 45% from the field.

The offensive success was possible because of LeBron James (25 points, 13
  rebounds, 9 assists). His tremendous passing and expert vision generated shots
  from the perimeter to the paint for his teammates... every teammate on the
  floor.

The Lakers answered Miami’s 13-point lead mentioned above, with 30 commanding
  points between the first and second quarter. The Lake Show’s bench was greatly
  responsible for this comeback. In fact, 20 of the Lakers’ 65 halftime points
  were from the second unit — and a majority orchestrated by LBJ.

Miami’s defense looked to pack the paint, the place on the floor they know the
  Lakers own. But the Lakers responded with a lethalness from three.
  Specifically, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (13 points). KCP changed the pace of
  the game by getting hot from three early. AD commended him by stating in his
  walk-off: “KCP saved us.” AD also stated, “If they’re gonna’ give us shots
  like that we gotta’ be able to knock them down.” The Lakers were certainly
  knocking with 15 triples from 9 guys. LeBron was one of those 9, moving to
  second in most 3-pointers in NBA Finals history.

Caldwell-Pope said at half, “As far as us, we just want to play Laker
  Basketball.” And it was Laker Basketball they played this Wednesday night.
  Coach Frank Vogel loved the energy, effort and hard work from his squad. The
  Lakers dominated Game 1, but tonight was one part of a big picture. The job is
  not done. LeBron talked postgame about his excitement to watch film with his
  teammates tomorrow, “We can be so much better,” he said.

james-davis-dominate-in-game-1-of-the-nba-finals

James & Davis Dominate in Game 1 of the NBA Finals

lalnkioski

Los Angeles, your Lakers are going to the NBA Finals.

It was a slow start and fast finish for the Lake Show in Game 5 this evening.
  Their final lap before riding to the championship resulted in a 117-107
  victory over Denver.

It was an incredibly hard-fought round. Here’s to the Nuggets, a worthy
  contender.

This win ran deep tonight. Every guy wanted to step up and it made for an
  incredible game from the Purple and Gold. LeBron James (38 pts, 16 reb, 10
  ast) led the way. In his 17th year in the league, the King was an absolute
  force in the pursuit of his tenth Finals appearance this Saturday night.
  LeBron’s defense was outstanding for forty minutes. He was collecting rebounds
  like he was the only one under the hoop, which made it possible for him to
  somehow make the Lakers fastbreak even faster. And to close it out, LBJ had an
  arsenal of daggers that he unleashed as he hit fadeaway jumper after fadeaway
  jumper in the fourth quarter. It was “winning time” as he calls it, and that
  means no off button for Bron.

Coach Frank Vogel praised his team postgame, “credit to all our players.”

The best part of this Game 5 victory, other than the result? The Lakers’
  chemistry. The teamwork was magnetic. Danny Green (11 pts, 2 blk) and Dwight
  Howard (9 pts, 9 rebs) were pivotal defenders. While the Lakers offense was
  fueled by the familiar favorites. Specifically, Rajon Rondo (8 pts, 4 ast, 3
  reb) and Anthony Davis (27 pts). The two were striking, as was the LeBron-Alex
  Caruso (11 pts, 4 ast) dynamic. The No. 1 two-man combo was smoking hot
  tonight.

Discreet passes and blatant hammers are the making of beautiful teamwork. That
  is Rondo and Davis’ specialty. These two understand each other incredibly well
  and are always on the same page— at the exact same time. The playmaker and the
  big fella were outstanding in their respective roles, but what was interesting
  was seeing these two trade spots tonight and get the other’s job done. Rondo
  was sneaky and lethal in the paint, while AD was a threat from the outside and
  draining threes.

Speaking of sameness, let’s bring it to the King and AC. Separately, LeBron
  did the big things, grabbing another playoff triple-double. This is his fourth
  of this playoff series which puts him in a class with Elgin Baylor, John
  Stockton and Chris Paul. While AC did the little things, that added up to the
  big things.

It’s pretty poetic that the LeBron-AC storyline began this time last year and
  after developing for almost 365 days, continues to be a pillar of the Lake
  Show’s success. Fans have witnessed AC Fresh enter the league and watch and
  learn from Bron. With Bron’s vision, AC’s work ethic and their shared will to
  win, the two are a worthy alliance.

These are only a few of the countless examples of the teamwork, brotherhood
  and heart that connect this team. A great feat was accomplished tonight, but
  this isn’t the finish line. LeBron said postgame, “we battled through a lot
  this year. We’ve got four more to win, for the ultimate goal.” The job is not
  done. The Lakers have one more round to face together.

lakers-continue-to-last-stop-the-nba-finals

Lakers Continue to Last Stop: The NBA Finals

Tonight’s Lakers-Nuggets Game 4 could be described as a true Western Showdown.

The Lakers had the final draw and came out on top, 114-108. They now lead the
  Western Conference Finals 3-1.

There’s no denying Denver has earned their place in contention; they wanted
  this one. But with the risk of having this round all tied up, the Lakers held
  the game tightly in their grasp and did not let go.

Dwight Howard (12 pts, 11 reb) was the difference maker this Thursday night.
  Coach Frank Vogel changed up his starting five with the inclusion of DH, and
  throughout his 23 minutes everybody on the floor knew Dwight was there. It
  wasn’t even an energy that he brought; it can best be described as a spirit.
  He was efficient, eager, and more than anything, ravenous.

The Lakers struggled with rebounds in Game 3, but tonight it seemed that was
  one of two things on No. 39’s mind. The other being: Throwing. It. Down. Six
  of Dwight’s 11 rebounds were offensive and if you go by the numbers that means
  when this big fella collected the rock from down below, he went right back up
  with it.

Anthony Davis (34 pts) and LeBron James (26 pts, 8 ast, 9 reb) continue to
  lead their teammates with their expert abilities. Davis unleashed an energy
  from the start that cast a spell over Denver. He scored the Lakers first 10
  points in just a few minutes and as the match progressed, he became more and
  more opulent offensively.

It’s hard to choose but James’ impact might’ve been felt most defensively
  speaking this evening. Yes, he repeatedly split the double team and when
  Denver waited with a wall of three, LeBron drew the foul. But the King was a
  crucial piece to the Lakers’ defensive success. He was fervent when it came to
  covering the weak side of the paint and stepped up big by going man-to-man on
  Jamal Murray. The shifty guard was a serious threat to the Lakers as he hit
  preposterous shot after preposterous shot. That was until LeBron asked for the
  assignment. "I knew it was winning time and Jamal had it going. He’s special,”
  the King said.

This is starting to be an every game occurrence, but Rajon Rondo (11 pts, 7
  ast, 5 reb) has moved to 8th on the list of most assists in Playoff History.
  In Game 3, he passed Lakers Legend, Kobe Bryant, and tonight ‘Doe moved by
  Scottie Pippen. Rondo’s been making magic along the way as he travels down the
  list of greats. The Lakers having Rondo as their playmaker when Bron is on the
  floor is incredible. When Rondo takes control, LeBron is given a freedom that
  he doesn’t take for granted. The Lake Show’s passing overall was mesmerizing
  in Game 4 and heavily influenced by No. 9.

Also regarding Rajon Rondo, LeBron spoke candidly in his walk-off interview
  saying that the team will rally around the Louisville native, after protests
  started yesterday throughout Kentucky as a result of the grand jury’s
  announcement that no officers would be charged with murder in the killing of
  Breonna Taylor. The guys played with a heavy heart and Breonna Taylor in their
  thoughts. LeBron also stated postgame: “We lost a beautiful woman in Breonna.
  … We want justice no matter how long it takes.” Every player continues to play
  through the heaviest of circumstances in this 2020 playoff series.

The Lake Show returns Saturday and will face the opportunity to advance to the
  NBA Finals.