The Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Title in Orlando will be massive.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful and historic franchises in NBA history. The team is second all-time in championships, trailing the Boston Celtics by one, but have had far more successful periods, otherwise known as dynasties, that any other franchise in league history.
Laker fans are hoping that the 2019-20 season can be the start of a new dynasty as the tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis has returned the team to heights it has not seen in a decade.
The team’s quest for a championship was derailed a tad by the coronavirus pandemic but with the league set to resume action on June 30th at Disney World, the Lakers are going to get their chance to win championship number 17.
No asterisks. No doubts. No ifs, ands, or buts. Whoever wins the NBA Title in Orlando is the undisputed NBA Champions, and for the Lakers, it would mean a lot in terms of legacy.
The legacy that is at stake for the Los Angeles Lakers:
First of all is something we already mentioned, winning this championship would tie the Los Angeles Lakers with the Boston Celtics for the most titles in NBA history. The Celtics’ title count is held up by the Bill Russell-led dominance in the 1950s and 60s.
Sure, there are some Larry Bird titles and a big three title in there as well, but the Lakers definitely have had more compelling dynasties to their name. This championship would take away the one thing that Celtic fans can brag about, solidifying the Lakers as the NBA’s most successful franchise.
It is more than just the franchise legacy, though, as there are some individual legacies at stake as well.
LeBron James:
This would be LeBron James’ fourth championship and while it does not yet tie him with Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan, it is a step in the right direction. If LeBron wants any chance of at least tying Kobe then he is probably going to have to win the title this year.
It will be more than just a fourth championship, though. LeBron will become the first player in NBA history to win a championship as the prominent leading force on three different teams. You could also make that case for Kawhi Leonard as well, as he is a two-time Finals MVP.
This is also arguably the most difficult NBA Championship in league history. Some people want to say it will be an asterisk, but that is not the case at all. To win a championship in this climate with the hiatus that was taken is special.
Anthony Davis:
Anthony Davis is a fantastic basketball player but if he wants to leave his mark on this game he is going to have to start winning championships. He still has plenty of time, but a first championship goes a long way in cementing his legacy.
This is especially true if Davis and the Lakers win this season and then AD goes on to be the face of the Los Angeles Lakers post-LeBron. It can be similar to the Showtime Lakers with Magic Johnson, where Magic is viewed as the figurehead of the Showtime Lakers despite sharing the court with an all-time great, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Dwight Howard:
Say what you will about his off-court antics but Dwight Howard is a Hall of Famer. Period. The only two things he has not accomplished is being named MVP and winning a championship.
Howard will never be named the league’s MVP but winning a championship with the Lakers this season will change the outlook of his legacy forever and make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Rajon Rondo:
This is more of a trivia question than anything, but Rajon Rondo could become the first player in NBA history to win a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Clyde Lovellette also won championships with both the Lakers and Celtics, however, it was with the Minneapolis Lakers, not Los Angeles Lakers.