USA Today via Reuters
The Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo after their win over the Miami Heat after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
The Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo after their win over the Miami Heat after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
With the Lakers being crowned the champions of the world, the 2019-20 NBA season is over. LeBron James became an NBA champion for the first time since 2016 back when the Cavs completed a terrific 3-1 comeback in the finals.
Many believe that was arguably the best performance in the NBA Finals. The Cavs were up against statistically the best team in NBA history as the Warriors were 73-9 in the regular season.
Had it not been for a resilient effort from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, the Warriors would have capped off that season with a title. Former Cavs player Iman Shumpert recently appeared on Complex Sports’ “Load Management” podcast, where the co-host Chopz suggested that the 2016 Cavs would triumph over the 2020 Lakers in five games.
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Shumpert agreed with the co-host and said, “For sure, you f–king serious?!… I mean, Rondo matches up. We not gonna violate, though, we not gonna violate him, we gonna beat em, we just not gonna violate him… We had the real J.R. Swish. They don’t wanna use him now, I get it. He’s older, and he had spent one year out of the league, I totally understand … but we not gonna act like J.R Smith ain’t J.R. Smith.”
2016 Cavs vs. 2020 Lakers
Shump says Cavs in 5.
"For sure, you f**king serious?!"
EPISODE: https://t.co/gq3yj65s1U pic.twitter.com/LQLSfNmL14
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) October 13, 2020
Along with King James and Irving, the 2016 Cavs had Kevin Love on the roster as well. Although he was not producing mind-boggling numbers like his Timberwolves days, Love was still a daunting presence on the floor.
If these two teams were to ever face-off, guarding Anthony Davis would be a huge question mark. Davis is a beast in the paint and can hold his own on both sides of the court.
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Los Angeles Lakers: The team to beat next season
USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and forward Anthony Davis (3) celebrate during the fourth quarter in game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsMandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The 2016 Cavs vs the 2020 Lakers is all but a hypothetical argument. However, the Lakers will be defending their title in the next season and it will be a bloodbath. There are multiple teams from each conference that have the star power to dethrone the purple and gold.
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It would take an all-out performance from superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to make sure the title stays in L.A. Moreover, the Lakers are in dire need of a third consistent star, who can take the pressure off of AD and LBJ.
What do you think? Who will be the NBA Champions in the upcoming season?
