A real champion's performance.
LeBron James, author of a huge triple-double, allowed the Lakers to defeat Denver (117-107) to qualify for the 32nd NBA Finals in their history, the first in ten years.
In 2010, it was Kobe Bryant who brought LA his 16th league title, his fifth personal.
A very particular karma accompanies this new purple and gold generation, since the death of the idol on January 26 in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people.
"Mamba mentality"
James and his teammates have since vowed to bring the Lakers back to the top of the league to carry on the legacy of their glorious elder.
An extra soul drawing on the famous “Mamba mentality” which animated Bryant, made of an unwavering thirst for victory.
Los Angeles will try in the final to equal Boston's record (17 titles).
The representative of the Eastern Conference who will come forward will be, precisely, either the Celtics or Miami who play their 6th game on Sunday (3-2 for the Heat).
▪️ 38 PTS, 16 REB, 10 AST
▪️ 27th playoff triple-double
▪️ 16 4th quarter points @ KingJames' triple-double and late game take over propel the @Lakers to the #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV! #LakeShow #WholeNewGame pic. twitter.com/KmYbYApuyV
- NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2020
"King James" has not yet completely put the crown on his head, but his performance (38 pts, 16 rebounds, 10 assists) full of talent, authority, envy, places him once again , at 35, above the competition.
His triple-double is the 27th in the play-offs, three units behind the record of another former “Laker-Legend”, Magic Johnson.
LeBron James' tenth NBA final
“Do not come and tell me that LeBron James is not the MVP of this league after such a performance that takes the Lakers to the final!
", Has tweeted the illustrious leader, reviving the debate on the trophy for best player of the season recently awarded to Giannis Antetokounmpo, after a vote that had upset LBJ.
Whatever, sitting on the floor in the middle of party favors celebrating his first title of Western Conference champion, cap screwed on his head, dark and determined look, he has clearly shown that he does not intend to stop there.
“You have to take advantage of it, only two teams qualify for the final each year.
But we have a bigger goal, ”he said.
The updated #NBAPlayoffs picture as the @Lakers advance to the #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV!
pic.twitter.com/cqmakhCkGT
- NBA (@NBA) September 27, 2020
In search of a 4th coronation with a third different team after Miami (2012, 2013) and Cleveland (2016), LBJ will play his tenth final, as only Kareem Abdul-Jabaar (10), Sam Jones did before him. (11) and Bill Russell (12).
Simply gigantic.
Under his leadership, the Lakers have made an impressive journey in these unprecedented play-offs, played in the Disney World bubble safe from the coronavirus, since they have conceded only three defeats in three series.
"The work is not done"
Before dismissing Denver, they had blocked the road, also in five games, Portland (4-1) and its star Damian Lillard, as well as that of Houston (4-1) and James Harden, best scorer of the season .
Having finished first in the regular season in the West, they thus assumed their status as favorites throughout the play-offs, also carried by the significant contribution of Anthony Davis, recruited in the offseason.
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The latter showed on this series, in the important moments, that he was more than a lieutenant for James, but a real offensive leader, still evidenced by his 27 points in this match.
“It feels good to reach the final.
We've been through a lot this year, ”said the winger, adding that“ the job is not done ”.
