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Former Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale explained how Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James’ first title dates back to the Houston Rockets.
The Los Angeles Lakers took home the 2019-20 NBA title, giving LeBron James his fourth championship of his 17-year career. The Lakers’ road to the NBA Finals included a game with the Portland Trail Blazers, followed by the Houston Rockets, the Denver Nuggets and the battle-tested Miami Heat.
The Lakers received significant contributions from role players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, the list goes on. James knows a thing or two about the importance of having quality veteran rotating players, as it has proven to be a successful formula for him, and especially when he was a member of the Miami Heat.
The “Heatles” were drawn into a superstar trio of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, but it was a veteran Houston Rockets player who made the difference for them, as former Heat assistant coach David Fizdale noted in he Knuckle head podcast.
“That year Chris Bosh got injured and we had to start playing Shane Battier in the four. It was his best position, but we continued to force-feed him in all three.
At that point in Shane’s career, all three were gone. It was time for it to become that space four. By doing that, we got our smartest players on the court.
Shane in four was so important. It didn’t matter who we were going to play that year, we were going to end up winning, and it turned out we were young. [Kevin Durant], young [Russell Westbrook]and James Harden “.
How LeBron James’ first title dates back to the Houston Rockets
Although Shane Battier had already been in the league for five seasons before landing in Space City, it was in Houston that he proved to be especially valuable and useful. Rockets fans were initially unhappy with Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s 2006 decision to trade Rudy Gay’s rights for Battier, which may seem hard to believe as Battier later became one. of the fan favorites in Houston.
Battier made 42.1 percent of his 3s during his debut for the Rockets, which was the best of his career at the time, and started all 82 games during the 2006-07 season. Battier also proved to be one of the league’s best defenders during his tenure with the Rockets, as he was named to the All-Defensive team twice, cementing his status as one of the league’s top 3 and D wings. during its heyday. The Rockets traded Battier during the 2010-11 season as he had an expiring contract and was rebuilding, following the physical decline of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.
Battier signed with the Miami Heat before the start of the 2011-12 season, which was a win-win move. Battier had shown valuable skill with the Rockets, and the Heat presented him with the opportunity to fight for a title during his later years in the league, making it much easier to accept a reduced salary.
Battier made 42 3-pointers during the 2012 Miami championship race, which was the best of the team. During the Heat’s NBA Finals game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Battier made a scorching 57.7 percent of his 3s, while leading the Heat in a total of 3s, once again.
Battier also averaged 11.6 points during the series, which was fourth best in the Heat, behind only James, Wade and Bosh. The Heat returned to the Finals during the 2012-13 season, which was a season in which Battier made 43 percent of his 3s, making it the best team once again. The Heat successfully defended their title as they also took home the 2013 trophy.
Battier had been moved to the second unit during the Heat’s second championship season as he exhibited his selfless attitude, which is part of the fabric that made him a favorite with Rockets fans. Battier was named 2013-14 NBA Teammate of the Year during his final season alongside the trio of superstars.
Although James and the Heat did not take home the title in 2013-14, it’s safe to say that they would not have won their first title without the former Houston Rockets fan favorite, as Fizdale correctly put it.
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