By CARLO ANOLIN
The 2020 NBA Finals is on!
It will be a matchup loaded with history with both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat looking to stage a “showtime” under new normal starting Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) – the opener of their best-of-seven title series
The torch of legacy has been handed Saturday to LeBron James, who led the Lakers to its first Finals appearance since Kobe Bryant’s squad won the title in 2010.
The Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets to bag the Eastern Conference title in a 4-1 series.
And on Sunday, the Heat followed suit with a 125-113 win over the Boston Celtics (4-2).
Miami barged into the Finals, also for the first time in six years, since James left the team for free agency in 2014.
As both teams celebrated their respective feats, NBA players, including veterans, retired and former members, took to social media their congratulatory message.
While all hard work is credited as a team effort, players couldn’t help but laud Miami coach Erik Spoelstra for steering the Heat in another Finals appearance.
“Let’s gooo!! That @MiamiHEAT culture is just different, Standing ovation to all the guys, Coach Spo, and Pat Riley. Can’t wait for the NBA Finals!! #HeatNation” Heat great Chris Bosh wrote.
Manu Ginobili, once considered a rival of the Heat from 2013 to 2014, also praised the Filipino-American tactician.
“Chapeau Spo and the Heat!! Character, effort, team work, great to watch. Congrats!” the former Spurs guard said.
Others were happy to see Jimmy Butler, who had to jump ship in three different teams before finding a home in Miami, reach his first Finals appearance while some had nothing but excitement for 20-year-old rookie Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson also popped out the “million dollar question”: Who will Dwyane Wade be cheering for? His former team, the Heat, or his best friend LeBron James?
Wade, a three-time NBA champion with Heat, called it a win-win situation but still chose the #HeatNation.
James, Wade and Bosh were considered the Big 3 of Miami from 2010 to 2014. The Heat captured back-to-back titles from 2012 to 2013 against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Spurs under Spoelstra’s helm.
On the Lakers’ side, James insisted that their “job is not done” and the rest of the team thinks so too as they eye for the franchise’s first NBA title in 10 years.
“One step closer to the goal. Job not done,” said James, setting sights on banner No. 17 for the Lakers as well.
A man on a mission, James likewise vowed to continue a lasting legacy left by Bryant, who perished in a tragic helicopter crash along with 13-year-old Gianna and seven others last January.
“Every time you put on purple and gold, you think about his (Kobe) his legacy. You think about what he meant to this franchise for 20-plus years,” the four-time MVP said.
“And what he stood for, both on the floor and off the floor. What he demanded out of his teammates, what he demanded out of himself.”
