Will LeBron take the Lakers to the Finals in just his first year?

LeBron’s departure from Cleveland was, for many, almost an inevitability. It’s no wonder Cavs fans are not as bitter as they were when James left for Miami. After all, LeBron has delivered on his promise to bring another championship to the state.

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The offseason focus and speculations have now shifted to LeBron’s arrival in Los Angeles, and to whether he can quickly bring another NBA ring to the storied Lakers franchise or not. Indeed, the player movements surrounding James’ are indications of such a move: Magic Johnson has managed to acquire veterans Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, and Michael Beasley to play alongside King James this coming season. 

The lineup is certainly not patterned after Golden State’s. But it’s in the contrary philosophy that this move truly shines. No NBA team in the past three years has been successful in beating the Warriors in their own high-offense game. Perhaps the trick is in going against that grain and working on a more defense-oriented backbone powered by veteran smarts. After all, James will provide the offense. And the Lakers has kept its promising bunch of rookies in Kuzma, Ingram, and Ball. 

This early, the Lakers lineup is truly enviable for its sheer depth and the presence of reliable players in every position. People forget, too, that James is not getting any younger; despite his stellar showing in recent seasons, the 2019 season is still a step forward to his eventual retirement. With more teams in the league becoming solid contenders themselves, there’s no question that this Lakers strategy is clearly packaged to pay immediate dividends. 

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George Ammar is a businessman who’s also very much into sports and fitness. He supports various sports franchises including the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the University of Notre Dame's football and basketball teams. For related posts, visit this link.

In His 15th Year, Lebron James Is Playing His Best Nba Basketball

LeBron James’ performance in the 2018 playoffs has been, for lack of a better word, phenomenal. Especially since he has been playing for almost the entire 48 minutes in recent games. He actually did so in Cleveland’s deciding Game 7 match with Boston that got them back to the NBA Finals.

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LeBron has almost singlehandedly carried his team these playoffs. Given the fact that his teammates are all playing inconsistently, LeBron had to elevate his game even further. And he has done so, highlighted by two buzzer-beater shots in Cleveland’s sweep of Toronto and an average of about 40 points throughout the three series leading to the Finals.

In King James 15th year in the league, he has not been this dominant. Probably because he simply had to remind the world that he is still the best player on the planet. Or because he knows he has to carry his ragtag team on his shoulder. Or simply to remind NBA pundits that the constant GOAT comparison with Michael Jordan is truly deserved.

LeBron has been caught on video reading Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist,” which might be corny, but seems to work for his current, Zen-like approach to games. And if reading a book during lulls is what fuels his competitive fire, then so be it. Fans just hope that, after all that is said and done in this season of revelation, LeBron James will think twice about taking his talents somewhere else.

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George Ammar is a sports and fitness enthusiast. He is also into movies, particularly sports-themed ones like 'Rocky' and 'Rudy.' He is a big fan of Cavaliers basketball. More on George and his interests here.