By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After four NBA finals with the Miami Heat and five with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James is back with his tenth overall, first in the Western Conference as the Los Angeles Lakers leader. He tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for third on the all-time list of players with the most appearances. Bill Russell with 12 and Sam Jones with 11 hold the top two spots.
“The job is not done,” he explained after the Game 5 win versus the Denver Nuggets and the Conference champions ceremony, “But its great to appreciate the moments throughout the course of a journey.”
The Lakers stand second behind the Boston Celtics in the list of teams with the most championships. However, the 2020 postseason played in the Orlando bubble marks the first finals berth since 2010.
“I am extremely proud to be a part of this franchise getting back to where it belongs, playing and competing for championships,” mentioned James, “This is what I came here for.”
Kobe Bryant was the MVP in 2010 leading the Lakers over the Celtics in seven games. “Every time you put on purple-and-gold, you think about his legacy, what he meant for this franchise for 20-plus years and what he stood for,” said James.
He posted a 38-point, 16-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in Game 5. His 27th career postseason triple-double was highlighted by a strong fourth quarter.
“In a closeout game, I am just as desperate as the team that we are trying to closeout. I don’t want to play another game,” he pointed out, “I am not undefeated in closeout games, but if we have the chance to win I don’t want to play another game.”
“He can take whatever team he’s on to new heights, that defines his greatness,” added Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, “Everybody wants to get caught up in the greatest of all time. That is an unwinnable debate. LeBron is one of the greatest to ever do it and his resume speaks for itself.”
The Heat are up 3-2 in the Eastern Conference finals. Wednesday will either feature Game 1 opposite to the Lakers or Game 7 versus the Celtics depending on Monday’s Game 6 outcome.
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