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James scored 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists as the Lakers beat the Heat 4-2 to claim the first title in a decade.
The Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James’ triple-double, beat the Miami Heat 106-93 on Sunday to win a record-setting 17th NBA championship, the first in a decade.
James added another chapter to his epic career, scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists as he captured his fourth NBA title with a third team, in addition to winning Most Valuable Player honors of the NBA Finals for the fourth time.
“It means a lot to represent this franchise,” James said. “I wanted to put this franchise back in its place. For me, being a part of such a historic franchise is an incredible feeling. “
James played his 260th play-off game, beating Derek Fisher by the most of all time.
Anthony Davis, playing in his first series of titles after years of frustration in New Orleans, added 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Lakers completed a 4-2 best-of-seven championship series win more than eight months after the death in a helicopter crash of team legend Kobe Bryant, who led the Lakers to their last title in 2010.
Lebron James has won four NBA titles and played 260 play-off games. [Reuters]
The series in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida capped not just an emotional season for the Lakers with the loss of the talisman Bryant, but a season of uncertainty and turmoil for the NBA as players grappled with the coronavirus pandemic. and social demands and racial justice are spreading across the United States.
The winning team dedicated the triumph to the late Bryant who, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, died in the Jan. 26 crash in suburban Los Angeles.
“Kobe, I know he’s looking at us very proud,” Lakers star forward Davis said. “We miss him, and this is definitely for him.”
“I think Kobe and Gianna have guided this team throughout the year,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said.
Better than hot days @Dwyane Wade Y @King James 🤫 https://t.co/mliNhJ39PF
– Gun 🏹 (@goodmovepistol) October 12, 2020
LAKERS NATION IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES 💫💫💫 pic.twitter.com/WAUuq1YvHK
– Lake Show (@LakeShowFamily) October 12, 2020
Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant posted a congratulatory message on Instagram, saying, “I wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this.”
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said: “Kobe’s voice is always in my head, always, every day, every minute … so that we can win this championship does not take away the pain of defeat, but it does. What it does is help us build on your legacy.
“The legacy of Kobe and Gianna will last forever. It will impact lives around the world in positive ways, and this 2020 Lakers championship is in part to build on that legacy and honor them. The timing couldn’t be more special to do that for them. “
Davis recounted how Bryant cheered on everyone at games in the months leading up to the tragedy.
“He would come to the game and just tell us, ‘This is your year. This is all of you the year. Get out there and get it, ‘”Davis said. “I had a lot of confidence in our team. I had a lot of confidence in our organization to go out and win this year ”.
Outside of the Lakers’ home stadium, the Staples Center in Los Angeles, fans took to the streets chanting “Kobe, Kobe,” despite being urged to celebrate at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This was for Kobe, regardless of what jersey we were wearing,” said Markieff Morris of the Lakers. “We knew we had to do this for Kobe and Gigi and the rest of Laker Nation. This was special. “
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