On March 11th, 2020, the National Basketball Association (NBA) shut down its season due to COVID-19. The teams were not allowed to continue until months later during which the staff, coaches, and players lived within a bubble, isolated from the outside world. The playoffs began on July 30th with the 16 qualifying teams. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat were the last two teams within the playoffs. As the final game took place on Sunday night, fans were on the edge of their seats.

The Lakers won game 1 and game 2, to begin with, a good lead throughout the entire game. They constantly held a higher amount of points due to them starting out strong. During game 3, the Miami Heat took the win, making the series 2-1. Next, the Lakers took the win in game 4, only to be countered by a Miami Heat win during game 5. Finishing the NBA’s socially isolated season, the Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 over the Miami Heat Sunday in Game 6, taking a league championship. 

This championship, being the 17th title for the Lakers, puts the Lakers in a tie with the Boston Celtics for the most won seasons. Another record that this win creates is for Lebron James when he became the NBA’s all-time leader in playoff games played, at 260 games. He finished the night with a triple-double: 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. For this, as well as the rest of his season statistics, he was named NBA Finals MVP, the fourth time he has received this honor. 

James, arguably one of the best players in the NBA, has become an inspiring figure for many Lakers fans. Lloyd Walls (staff), a Lakers fan, says that “Lebron James is definitely going to go down in history as one of the best players of all time and I am glad that he won another title”. James joined the Lakers in 2018 and has been working hard with the team to make them better. He truly puts his passion and hard work to make the team improve. “For me to be a part of such a historical franchise is an unbelievable feeling, not only for myself but for my teammates, for the organization, for the coaches, for the trainers, everybody that’s here,” James said on the court after the winning game (cnn.com). His legacy will be one that goes down in history due to his sportsmanship and skill. 

Another historical player is the late Kobe Bryant. Many fans find this an emotional win because of Bryant’s fatal accident earlier this year. Bryant played on the Lakers for 20 years of his career and took the Lakers to the next level, similar to Lebron James. Many of the current players dedicate their win as a team to him and his legacy. “Hope I made you proud my brother!”, is the words that James used to describe his feelings of joy to win this title for Kobe (sports.yahoo.com). 

After the win, Laker fans crowded toward the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Many fans became rowdy and began to act out on the streets of LA. Many intoxicated, the local police unit was called. Some people within those groups ended up throwing bottles, creating scream chants, and insulting police officers. At one point, beer bottles were even thrown into the police unit. The police soon responded with riot gear and shots of tear gas which were thrown into the mass of hysterical fans. In all, the damage that was caused that night was millions of dollars. The damages included the local business being broken into, vandalized, or robbed. To add, many vehicles and streets were damaged with graffiti. 

This win, besides being monumental for the people, is also a good statement about the team. Many people have doubted the Lakers over the past few years while they were building the team to become better, and this win shows that they are a strong team. Fans everywhere are extraordinarily happy to see their team finally in the spotlight after many years. The next season’s date is still unclear, but just know that the Lakers are here to play.