Anything can happen
After the smoke has cleared in the conference finals, two teams stood out to face off in this unique NBA Finals. The heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers were the obvious winners in the Western Conference. In the East, the Miami Heat were never in my radar but came up with the biggest surprise by eliminating league no. 1 Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics. Still, the Lakers are favorites to win. Miami still a chance though given the depth of its supporting cast. But after the Game 1 massacre, the Lakers showed the height is still the proverbial might in basketball. In one instance, there was a fast-break showtime by the Lakers when a 6’9” Lebron James sprinted forward, then passed the ball to a 6’10 Dwight Howard who also made a pass to a 7-footer Anthony Davis for an electrifying dunk.
Meanwhile, there’s a sudden overflow of NBA FB analysts in the social media. Obviously, these guys are fans of Lebron James who have not move on from the Golden State Warriors championship rivalry when James was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron’s moving to LA has created some confusion on the real fans of the LA Lakers. Honestly, there are some loyal fans of the Lakers that hated Lebron but what is important here is the goal to win another championship ring. There’s also droves of Lebron fanatics who hated the Golden State Warriors and vice versa. These so-called keyboard bullies are again tough only behind the keyboard. There’s also that never ending comparison of James to Michael Jordan. Again, they are on a different era and there will be never be another Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and the list go on and on. It’s about time that you guys move on and grow up, and embrace the true legacy of what Lebron James has brought in the NBA. In fact, LeBron and the LA Lakers have dedicated their campaign to the late Lakers icon Kobe Bryant. With due respect to Kobe, let us all enjoy the NBA Finals and stop all the hate.
Going back to the NBA Finals after the Lakers’ Game 1 demolition of the Heat, NBA analysts are already predicting a sweep as two of the Miami starters are doubtful for Game 2 today. The Heat tweeted an injury update: “Goran Dragic (left foot torn plantar fascia) is listed as doubtful to play in today’s NBA finals Game 2 vs. the Lakers. Bam Adebayo is also listed doubtful after a MRI revealed a neck strain (left side)”. With this, it looks like Miami is going to look forward to next year as there is no way they can give a fight without these two starters. We know though the Heat culture can still bring in some surprises. Kendrick Nunn will again will be starting the game. Actually Nunn is a regular starter for the Heat majority of the season but inside the bubble, it was difficult as Nunn was diagnosed with Covid-19 and lost his rhythm with the team. Looking back at the series opener, we can see that Nunn has the talent and speed to carry Miami in Game 2. But for me, the biggest question lies on the status of Adebayo. If indeed the injury is bothering him, then it would be hard for the Miami to give a good fight. We can just wait and see on what Miami Coach Eric Spoelstra have in his bag of tricks. If we check the history books, all the Miami NBA championships started with a Game 1 loss. In 2006 NBA Finals, the Heat lost in the first two games but bounced back to win four games in a row against the Dallas Mavericks. In 2012 NBA Finals, Miami again lost Game 1 but came back and swept the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next four games to bag its second ring. And finally in the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Miami lost Game 1 but finished off the Spurs in seven games. But with LA’s motivation of the ‘Black Mamba’ mentality, I doubt Miami would win one game especially with the injuries of Dragic and Adebayo. But then again, the ball is round and anything can happen.
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