CHICAGO - There is a reason why Las Vegas oddsmakers, who have seen more battles than the Roman empire, have installed the L.A. Lakers as steep -380 favorites to win the 2020 NBA Finals.
Stuck at sweet 16 since 2010, these Lakers are very good, primed to capture championship No. 17.
And while the sun is slowly setting on his reign at age 35, LeBron James is clearly still the king, the crown jewel of the NBA, who is averaging 26.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists in these playoffs.
The Lakers, in case you just woke up from a coma, also have Anthony Davis in the lineup. And he, too, is awesome, netting a spellbinding 28.8 points, 9.3 boards, 3.6 dimes and 1.2 blocks per.
Outside of those two superstars, though, only Kyle Kuzma is scoring in double figures at 10.5 points per and he has done so by making only 60 of 131 shots, including a shaky 17 of 54 rate from long distance.
The Lakers lack depth, their 3-point shooting is spotty (35.5 percent). and they are prone to 15.9 turnovers a game. They also haven't faced a swarming, pestering, and extremely physical defense that Miami brings.
All of the above reasons provide sterling proof that the Heat, a live plus 300 underdogs, have more than just a puncher's chance to score an upset and deliver Pat Riley his fourth championship in South Beach.
LeBron, realizing that his window is fast closing, will utilize every weapon in his arsenal in these Finals. He will score in bunches, assist teammates like it's Christmas, and rebound like a maniac.
But if the Blazers, Rockets and Nuggets cowered at LeBron's greatness. Miami won't.
JIMMY BUTLER ONLY FEARS GOD. NO ONE ELSE.
And if Butler gets mired into foul trouble or needs a blow, the Heat have the luxury of throwing veteran rough riders Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder on LeBron to make sure the former Heat doesn't get too cute.
As for Davis, the Heat have a multitude of defenders to crowd him to include All-Star Bam Adebayo, the seldom-used but very tough Myers Leonard, and Kelly Olynyk, an intrepid defender and former Celtic who eats elbows for lunch.
No one can stop A.D. but the Heat will slow him down, remind him of his forgettable, less prosperous days as a New Orleans Pelican.
Compared to the shine and luster of L.A.'s purple-and-gold tradition, the Heat may arguably have lesser star power and acclaim.
But Butler and the gang are bigger in fight and desire.
Led by the 20.9 points per of Goran Dragic, the Heat parade six players scoring in double figures. They rebound 42.9 per and commit just 13.5 turnovers against 25.1 assists an outing.
Lakers fans, with their chests expanding and triceps flexing, often throw this argument while effusively expounding their team's might: Who will guard LeBron and A.D.?
Fair point. And we've addressed that already.
HERE'S A BETTER QUESTION.
Who will guard Adebayo in the post, Butler in the perimeter, and Tyler Herro everywhere?
As for the coaching, it's a no-contest.
Frank Vogel is coaching LeBron only because, according to Yahoo Sports, Tyronn Lue and Monty Williams went elsewhere.
When games are close, down the wire, seconds to go, would you really rather have Vogel than Spo?
I don't think so.
Heat in 7.
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