And the GOAT debate starts again

CoVid-19 still rules the world and parts of California burning but the event last Monday perhaps had somehow brightened the dark clouds over Southern California.  Ten years after their last league title and seven years after revered team owner Jerry Buss died, the Los Angeles Lakers who, not too long ago had some power struggle among Buss’ heirs, tied the Boston Celtics when they won their 17th league championships, for and in honor of their dearly missed and franchise great, the late Kobe Bryant.   From chumps to 2020 champs.

The bubble, with all protocols implemented and strictly monitored, worked perfectly with no infections reported on team players, officials, league employees and bubble personnel.   That said, the longest NBA season has finally ended.  Commissioner Adam Silver, in appreciation of league employees working in the bubble, said that they will each receive a bonus of $1,000 and four Fridays off.

Lebron James won his fourth championship and his fourth Finals MVP.   No other player has won FMVP playing for three different teams.  Rajon Rondo also made history as the only player to win titles while playing for both the Celtics and the Lakers.

I was expecting a tight Game 6 but instead witnessed a precise demolition of a suddenly overmatched Miami Heat.  In the words of CBS Sports writer Brad Botkin, “They played big in a small era, fast when the game was supposed to slow down and never relied on 3-point shooting.”  And good defense was the key.  Yes, Miami had Jimmy Butler who can go toe-to-toe with LeBron, but LAL had Anthony Davis, “who is too big for small guys and too talented for big guys”. 

The Lakers won over the Heat because:

• Even if they have a Butler, LAL had a Cook and Waiters

• They have Gogi the Dragon, the Lakers countered with Superman

• They have a Herro, LAL had a King

• They a have Nun, well, LA had a Pope

• They have Bam, it failed to explode as LAL had a Dud

• They have a Hill but the Lakers are on top of the Brow

• There’s Kelly Goldilocks but LAL countered with a Bald Eagle

The team that was favored to battle LAL for the title, but faltered, had the multi-talented Greek Freak but in the end, the Lakers have the Greek Champ, who honored his country of origin by wrapping himself with the Greek flag during the trophy ceremony.  Yeap, he’s the other Antetokounmpo, Kostas, the younger brother of Giannis, who also made history by being the first Greek international to win an NBA title.

LeBron is playing on a different era, with a different style.  Michael Jordan played in a much tougher era, yes, also different.  Both players are great, play separate positions.  LeBron is brute force, Jordan is finesse.  The GOAT debate begins again but this corner won’t be pulled into it.  LBJ is LBJ, MJ is MJ.  In different eras, both are GOATs that even Goot da Wanderpol won’t argue.

17 seasons behind him, LeBron is still playing at an elite level and that, LBJ haters, is incredible.  Let’s appreciate his greatness while he’s still around.