Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

LA Lakers End 10-Year Wait for 17th NBA Title with LeBron James MVP


Mon 12 Oct 2020 | 11:31 AM
Mohammad Elzoheiry

The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title, ending a decade-long wait, for the 17th time on Sunday evening, after beating the Miami Heat (106-93) to seal a 4-2 series victory, which was decided on the basis of the best in 7 games.

The Lakers have equaled the Boston Celtics' record for the most NBA championships.

"King", LeBron James, the Finals' most valuable player (MVP) posted a triple double - scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.

James became the first player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP with 3 different teams (Lakers, Cavaliers and Heat).

Now with four MVPs, he trails only Michael Jordan, who won six.

"It means a lot to represent this franchise," said James. "I told [Lakers president] Jeanie [Buss] when I came here that I was going to put this franchise back in the position where it belongs."

"We just want our respect. Rob [Pelinka] wants his respect, coach [Frank] Vogel wants his respect, our organisation wants its respect, Lakers nation wants its respect," he added. "And I want my respect too."

Anthony Davis added 19 points and 15 follow-ups for the Lakers.

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat star, scored 12 points and 8 assists.

The Lakers played strongly and fiercely, in an attempt not to give Miami a chance to bounce in the last moments, like what happened in the fifth game Friday.

The Lakers concluded an unprecedented season, as the season resumed in 31 July after a four-month pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and all competitions were held at Disney World in Florida after resumption.

The Lakers paid tribute to Kobe Bryant after winning their first title in a decade.

"Kobe, I know he's looking down on us super proud," said Lakers forward Anthony Davis. "We miss him, and this is definitely for him."

Five-time NBA champion Bryant died in January in a helicopter crash alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and others.

He spent his whole career with the Lakers and led them to their last NBA title in 2010.