Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

The Battle for the Golden Trophy: Miami or Los Angeles?

By Travis Harmon-Smith

Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James and Anthony Davis (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)in the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 06, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Lakers won 136-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James and Anthony Davis (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)in the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 06, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Lakers won 136-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s Los Angeles vs. Miami in the 2020 NBA Finals

Billowing clouds at 9:00 a.m. It’s foggy. All blueprints and strategies are finished. But before anyone heads to the frontlines for battle, all fighters have to be equipped. With what? A winning mindset prior to arrival on the battlefield.

Victory is a mindset. Load up, gentlemen.

As both sets of troops assume the position of attack, there’s a 2-foot-tall 24-karat gold trophy sitting inside of a glass case. It has a life-size basketball falling into a net. Elegance prior to battle. All soldiers stare keenly. But “staring” isn’t going to win the battle for “keeps.”

More from Sir Charles In Charge

That battle for “keeps” will be far more convoluted in this year’s 2020 NBA Finals when the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers square off tonight in Game 1 inside the bubble. Statistics, winning percentages, and regular-season records are now meritless. For what reason? Both teams understand what’s at stake. An NBA championship. Nothing more. Nothing less. But understand this. Statistically, the Lakers struggled initially in August right after the hiatus ceased.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Two players equal to an entire offensive playbook by themselves. Every NBA team understands this, but does Miami? Heat coach Erik Spoelstra understands firsthand. Spoelstra coached LeBron and won two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. But during those seasons, it was more than James’ dominance that led the Heat to the golden prize. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, along with several others contributed heavily to the scoreboard. But this year, Spoelstra has newer weapons capable of doing the exact same feat.

Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, Goran Dragic, and Jae Crowder. Six weapons encompassing strategy for the ultimate battle. Herro, who exceeded every expectation that a rookie can exceed, should be a key focus for the Lakers defensively. Complexity at the perimeter will be inevitable for the Lakers if Herro, along with Butler, Robinson, all show up from downtown.

But this battle requires more than just 3-pointers. If Miami shows up at the battlefield without the proper blueprint, the Lakers’ offensive attack will win. The smoke hasn’t cleared yet. It’s billowing a little more heading into tonight.

The battlefield for the golden trophy. The golden opportunity for two incredible ball clubs. To become champions in a pandemic of question. No fan attendance. No elation. And, a deadly virus permeating the world. A destructive force that’s changed society. The season might’ve been suspended due to bioterrorism, but the championship mindsets for these two organizations can never be suspended. You can’t suspend the chance to be victorious. And, LeBron, along with his constituents in Los Angeles understands that as well.

A battle inside the bubble. This was the best postulation for playing purposes. To ensure the safety of players, coaches, and league executives. This will be the first NBA Finals battle without an audience. Without the normal championship festivities that we’re used to seeing.

Gentlemen, load up. Focus on the task. Give your loyalty to complete this fight. Give your all and don’t deviate from the objective. The objective is defeat. For what? For the 24-karat gold golden trophy.

dark. Next. Los Angeles Lakers can't afford to overlook the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals

Assume your positions! Don’t stare at the golden trophy! The battle begins. Who wins in these seven games? We’ll find out once the smoke clears.