The Finals: Lakers vs Heat 4-2 LAL Wins 2019-2020 Championship!!!

[Beethoven]

Crucial game 2 and game 3 coming. We desperately need to bring our A game to both of these or we will quickly go into a 1-2 hole.

Play like our backs are against the wall.

We are underdogs as the world proclaimed. I don't care about that.

What i do know is that bam and dragic will both suit up for next game. They will calibrate dragics shoe to temporarily alleviate his foot during play. Bam will definitely not miss due to some shoulder tweak that came back negative. He doesn't want to be seen as soft.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Here is my hot take for game 1:
As good as our role players have been and the Lakers looking invincible right now, we are missing Avery Bradley and if we would have known about the Covid-19 shutdown we would have Boogie taking Magee’s minutes

[Beethoven]

Boogie would have allowed all to run right through him like they did w Lou Williams.

[baldur]

guys 4-0 or 4-1? what do you think? I wanna bet on either or actually If i can bet on both, I can still make profit unless it ends like 4-2 or worse.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Boogie would have allowed all to run right through him like they did w Lou Williams.

How many minutes did Magee play?

[Beethoven]

But that is my point. Better to stay out than to come in and ruin the defense

[KL78192020]

Just a reminder that we have Anthony Davis and he's 27years old

It'll be interesting what the Lakers do with Lebron, will they give him a deal like Kobe got for the last two years even though he was past his prime. Or use the money to get a younger guy to pair with AD.

Can Lebron play at this level at 38-40? Would be insane.

[kblo247]

Just a reminder that we have Anthony Davis and he's 27years old

It'll be interesting what the Lakers do with Lebron, will they give him a deal like Kobe got for the last two years even though he was past his prime. Or use the money to get a younger guy to pair with AD.

Can Lebron play at this level at 38-40? Would be insane.

Jeanie will take care of him.

1) It makes her look damn good to take care of him, much like her dad would’ve did. He is her first star. It’s like Buss deal to Magic even though you know he wouldn’t make it. It’s like Kobe getting paid by Jim and Mitch even though they were awful as front office people under her. So Lebron definitely will get his

2) The narrative of this being the first team Lebron ever re-signed with by choice speaks volumes. He had to stay in Cleveland the first time much like every other drafted player because they know they will be restricted. But he’s never really stayed with any team and committed to them for years by his own choice. So if he signed a 2-3 year deal for her and Pelinka they have instant clout.

3) AD respects his elders which can’t be overlooked at all. The way he talks to and treats rondo says it all. The way he talks about Dwight. If Lebron helps him win and teaches him about everything on and off the court, he will respect him and want him back, same way how he wanted to make sure Rondo was back and that Boogie got a deal. He’s loyal.

[tugs]

If anything, the bubble strips away all kinds of variance like travel, sleep schedules, away fans etc and the difference that remains is at a pure basketball level.

This is like running an experiment in the most sterile environment ever.

That is very true. And here I was thinking how the Lakers could have benefitted a lot with having homecourt advantage because of the fans.

No distractions whatsoever. I think this is probably the most competitive playoffs in recent memory.

Some G1 notes though:
- Kendrick Nunn shouldn't be overlooked. This guy was carrying the Heat for some time during the regular season without Butler, Dragic, and when Herro was less of a factor. And it wasn't really empty-stats, they were winning

- Not sure how long Spo will stick with this zone. Not as worried with man D although pulling out Hill and Jones and giving them PT might indicate he's switching soon. 3s wouldn't be as open when this happens, although this is where bully ball gaming will take effect

- Agree with the sentiments relating to the collapse in the end. Unacceptable. Offense isn't the problem, it's the effort on D

[Sedale Threatt]

He was not wrong about Caruso

True, we all were right about Caruso.

He was a thoughtful poster at least, would be good if he checked in again someday, maybe in the offseason

The board was split 50/50 on Caruso and Miles was at the forefront of the Caruso bandwagon.

He will be back, he always does.

Yeah, well, after bombarding us with crap like this ...

Lebron is a disgrace to the purple and gold because he's using the Lakers to advance Lebron Inc. He won't ever, ever sacrifice for the team. He doesn't play hard, he doesn't battle, and for all his stat-padding, he can't cheat the eye test.

It's Kobe's town because as flawed as Kobe was, as a player and human being, the guy earned our respect and admiration.

Lebron on the other hand is a disgrace. It's a shame. I'm ashamed and embarrassed that he's a Laker. I bleed purple and gold, even in the toughest years, but this is the year that I'm embarrassed to be associated in any way with this leech. He's got no heart so he feeds on the lifeblood of others.

Forget passing the torch to Lebron. We need Kobe to come out of retirement to stick one last dagger in this vampire.

... I kind of hope he quit watching, and has gotten zero enjoyment or satisfaction out of this run.

[Beethoven]

Let's hit em hard tomorrow nite when we have the opportunity while they are struggling w their injuries. Take every advantage.

[stan francisco]

Eliminate!

[Hoopz Afrik]

Give them more of the same. No letting up, no letting go. Godspeed to the Lakers tonight.

[snaquille oatmeal]

True, we all were right about Caruso.

He was a thoughtful poster at least, would be good if he checked in again someday, maybe in the offseason

The board was split 50/50 on Caruso and Miles was at the forefront of the Caruso bandwagon.

He will be back, he always does.

Yeah, well, after bombarding us with crap like this ...

Lebron is a disgrace to the purple and gold because he's using the Lakers to advance Lebron Inc. He won't ever, ever sacrifice for the team. He doesn't play hard, he doesn't battle, and for all his stat-padding, he can't cheat the eye test.

It's Kobe's town because as flawed as Kobe was, as a player and human being, the guy earned our respect and admiration.

Lebron on the other hand is a disgrace. It's a shame. I'm ashamed and embarrassed that he's a Laker. I bleed purple and gold, even in the toughest years, but this is the year that I'm embarrassed to be associated in any way with this leech. He's got no heart so he feeds on the lifeblood of others.

Forget passing the torch to Lebron. We need Kobe to come out of retirement to stick one last dagger in this vampire.

... I kind of hope he quit watching, and has gotten zero enjoyment or satisfaction out of this run.

EDIT: I swapped out the original post for this one, because lol, this took the proverbial cake.

Don’t tell me you didn’t have a twinge of doubt when Lebron first got here cause otherwise you are lying.

Some of us were happy, others were on the wait and see fence and others were pessimistic about it, but we all thought in the back of our minds that yeah it makes some sense that Lebron was here to help his brand.

[Sedale Threatt]

The board was split 50/50 on Caruso and Miles was at the forefront of the Caruso bandwagon.

He will be back, he always does.

Yeah, well, after bombarding us with crap like this ...

Lebron is a disgrace to the purple and gold because he's using the Lakers to advance Lebron Inc. He won't ever, ever sacrifice for the team. He doesn't play hard, he doesn't battle, and for all his stat-padding, he can't cheat the eye test.

It's Kobe's town because as flawed as Kobe was, as a player and human being, the guy earned our respect and admiration.

Lebron on the other hand is a disgrace. It's a shame. I'm ashamed and embarrassed that he's a Laker. I bleed purple and gold, even in the toughest years, but this is the year that I'm embarrassed to be associated in any way with this leech. He's got no heart so he feeds on the lifeblood of others.

Forget passing the torch to Lebron. We need Kobe to come out of retirement to stick one last dagger in this vampire.

... I kind of hope he quit watching, and has gotten zero enjoyment or satisfaction out of this run.

EDIT: I swapped out the original post for this one, because lol, this took the proverbial cake.

Don’t tell me you didn’t have a twinge of doubt when Lebron first got here cause otherwise you are lying.

Some of us were happy, others were on the wait and see fence and others were pessimistic about it, but we all thought in the back of our minds that yeah it makes some sense that Lebron was here to help his brand.

Oh, I had more than a twinge of doubt. If we hadn't gotten AD (or some other star) last summer I was ready to brand his signing a failure. And even then I didn't think we were good enough to be where we are. (As always, the Winston Wolfe rule remains in effect as we still haven't done anything yet.)

But there is doubt, skepticism and pessimism, not to mention fair & rational criticism. And then there's whatever deranged lunacy that is. "I am ashamed and embarrassed..." lol. And that's just a highlight. It was month after month of that.

[tamaraw08]

If anything, the bubble strips away all kinds of variance like travel, sleep schedules, away fans etc and the difference that remains is at a pure basketball level.

This is like running an experiment in the most sterile environment ever.

That is very true. And here I was thinking how the Lakers could have benefitted a lot with having homecourt advantage because of the fans.

No distractions whatsoever. I think this is probably the most competitive playoffs in recent memory.

Some G1 notes though:
- Kendrick Nunn shouldn't be overlooked. This guy was carrying the Heat for some time during the regular season without Butler, Dragic, and when Herro was less of a factor. And it wasn't really empty-stats, they were winning

- Not sure how long Spo will stick with this zone. Not as worried with man D although pulling out Hill and Jones and giving them PT might indicate he's switching soon. 3s wouldn't be as open when this happens, although this is where bully ball gaming will take effect

- Agree with the sentiments relating to the collapse in the end. Unacceptable. Offense isn't the problem, it's the effort on D

I agree with Nunn, I think he gained a ton of confidence from game 1 and should be ready to contribute. The idea of the zone IMO, is to limit penetration & low post scoring and at the same time hide weak defenders. I expect them to adjust their zones to maybe a triangle and 2 or a Box and one or a hybrid of that esp I don't think the Lakers' shooter can keep hitting those 3's like game 1.
Spo is spot minutes used a combo of Bam, Crowder,Iggi and Butler, those 4 are good enough single cover defenders IMO.
I believe the key tonight is AD. The guy showed he can dominate these guys but he's young so there's a possibility that he can relax a bit knowing that he's capable of turning it on unlike Lebron who wants to finish this ASAP.

[tamaraw08]

If anything, the bubble strips away all kinds of variance like travel, sleep schedules, away fans etc and the difference that remains is at a pure basketball level.

This is like running an experiment in the most sterile environment ever.

That is very true. And here I was thinking how the Lakers could have benefitted a lot with having homecourt advantage because of the fans.

No distractions whatsoever. I think this is probably the most competitive playoffs in recent memory.

Some G1 notes though:
- Kendrick Nunn shouldn't be overlooked. This guy was carrying the Heat for some time during the regular season without Butler, Dragic, and when Herro was less of a factor. And it wasn't really empty-stats, they were winning

- Not sure how long Spo will stick with this zone. Not as worried with man D although pulling out Hill and Jones and giving them PT might indicate he's switching soon. 3s wouldn't be as open when this happens, although this is where bully ball gaming will take effect

- Agree with the sentiments relating to the collapse in the end. Unacceptable. Offense isn't the problem, it's the effort on D

I agree with Nunn, I think he gained a ton of confidence from game 1 and should be ready to contribute. The idea of the zone IMO, is to limit penetration & low post scoring and at the same time hide weak defenders. I expect them to adjust their zones to maybe a triangle and 2 or a Box and one or a hybrid of that esp I don't think the Lakers' shooterS can keep hitting those 3's like game 1.
Spo iN spot minutes used a combo of Bam, Crowder,Iggi and Butler, those 4 are good enough single cover defenders so that's another option for the Miami coach.
I believe the key tonight is AD. The guy showed he can dominate these guys but he's young so there's a possibility that he can relax a bit knowing that he's capable of turning it on unlike Lebron who wants to finish this ASAP.

[Beethoven]

We got to come into this next game tonite DESPERATE.

Like we are down 0-1.

We can't just phone it in and think the NBA will just hand us the win tonite like the hobos did.

[BEazy]

Let's get it. Golden opportunity for us tonight since Dragic and Bam are out. GET THE W!

[Kilroy]

The board was split 50/50 on Caruso and Miles was at the forefront of the Caruso bandwagon.

He will be back, he always does.

Yeah, well, after bombarding us with crap like this ...

Lebron is a disgrace to the purple and gold because he's using the Lakers to advance Lebron Inc. He won't ever, ever sacrifice for the team. He doesn't play hard, he doesn't battle, and for all his stat-padding, he can't cheat the eye test.

It's Kobe's town because as flawed as Kobe was, as a player and human being, the guy earned our respect and admiration.

Lebron on the other hand is a disgrace. It's a shame. I'm ashamed and embarrassed that he's a Laker. I bleed purple and gold, even in the toughest years, but this is the year that I'm embarrassed to be associated in any way with this leech. He's got no heart so he feeds on the lifeblood of others.

Forget passing the torch to Lebron. We need Kobe to come out of retirement to stick one last dagger in this vampire.

... I kind of hope he quit watching, and has gotten zero enjoyment or satisfaction out of this run.

EDIT: I swapped out the original post for this one, because lol, this took the proverbial cake.

Don’t tell me you didn’t have a twinge of doubt when Lebron first got here cause otherwise you are lying.

Some of us were happy, others were on the wait and see fence and others were pessimistic about it, but we all thought in the back of our minds that yeah it makes some sense that Lebron was here to help his brand.

I still have doubt... That doubt won't go away for me until Lebron retires a Laker. If he bounces again in a year or 2 for greener pastures, I'll hate him every bit as much as miles no matter how many championships we end up with.