Not the Lakers’ year

LeBron’s magnificent collision with reality

BY DAVID THORPE

The Lakers’ 2020 NBA title run was incredible to watch and—as someone who just rewatched—best captured in this play. It was Game 4 of the Finals, the Lakers were up two games to one. The Heat had been chasing the Lakers since the second quarter. With Jimmy Butler’s hard-driving layup, the Lakers had been caught. Tie game. 

If the Heat could also tie the series by winning these next six minutes … things would get interesting. The Heat’s great hope in the series was blossoming young big man Bam Adebayo—who was just back from injury after missing Games 2 and 3. The thinking was he’d get on the court for Game 4, and round into shape from there. (As it happened, he was magnificent in Game 6.)

If, on the other hand, the Lakers could win the next half-quarter, they’d be up 3-1 and the Heat would need a miracle.

LeBron stood with a live dribble at the top of the key, marked by Butler, the Heat’s top defender and one of the game’s best on the perimeter. LeBron called Alex Caruso to…