Who Played in the NBA Finals?

The 2017 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s 2016–17 season and conclusion of the season’s playoffs.

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The teams

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat played in the 2020 NBA Finals. The Lakers won the series 4-2.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Pacific Division. The Lakers play their home games at Staples Center, an arena shared with the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks. The franchise began with the 1947 purchase of a disbanded team, the Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League (NBL). The new team began playing in Minneapolis, calling themselves the Minneapolis Lakers. Initially a member of the NBL, the Lakers won the 1948 NBL championship before joining the rival Basketball Association of America (BAA), where they would win five of their next six championships, including titles in 1949, 1950 and 1952. In 1959, after relocating to Los Angeles, the team changed its name to signal its move away from Minnesota. The team plays at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles near LA Live.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The Heat play their home games at American Airlines Arena, and have won three NBA championships.

The franchise began play in the 1988–89 NBA season as an expansion team. After a period of mediocrity, the Heat would gain relevance during the 1990s following the arrival of point guard Tim Hardaway, who led Miami on a team-record eleven-game winning streak in March/April 1996. Hardaway was named an All-Star and won back-to-back All-Star MVP honors in 1996 and 1997. After winning 50 games in a season for the first time franchise history in 1997–98, they went on to capture their first ever division title by winning 61 games during the lockout shortened 1998–99 season. Led by Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing, Jamal Mashburn and P. J. Brown; they would reach the Conference Finals that year before losing to eventual NBA Champions New York Knicks in 7 games. In 2002, Pat Riley returned to coaching after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to four NBA Championships during his tenure with them from 1981–1990; leading them to another 52 win season that year before losing to New Jersey Nets (who would later make it to 2 straight NBA Finals appearances themselves) in 5 games during the Conference Semifinals that year. Following years of early round exits from the playoffs however, Riley decided he wanted to go for broke during 2003 free agency by signing Shaquille O’Neal away from the Lakers to team up with young superstar Dwyane Wade; making them one of many so called “Super Teams” formed during that era (such as Shaq/Kobe’s Lakers teams from 2000-2002 & 2007-2010 as well as Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce’s Boston Celtics team from 2007-2012). That following year however, Zo went down with a kidney illness that sidelined him for most of the year and Wade missed significant time with various injuries including a separated shoulder which forced him to miss 31 games; dooming them to only 42 wins and another early playoff exit despite having one of if not the most talented rosters on paper going into that season (which featured 6 All Stars: Wade, O’Neal, Mashburn, Eddie Jones, Brian Grant & Lamar Odom).

With all this talent however things finally came together for Miami during 2005 as they went on to win 59 games en route to their first ever Eastern Conference Championship where they met up with defending champion Detroit Pistons whom they upset in 7 games thanks to some late game heroics from Wade whom averaged 34.7 points per game for the series & hit numerous clutch baskets including two Game Winning Shots: one in Game 3 & another more famous one in Game 6 which is widely regarded as one of if not THE greatest shot ever made in NBA Playoff History & helped him earn his first ever Finals MVP award while Shaq finally got his 4th ring (tying Hakeem Olajuwon & Kobe Bryant for 2nd most all time behind only Michael Jordan’s 6). They followed that up by winning their maiden NBA Championship a few weeks later when they defeated defending Western Conference Champion Dallas Mavericks whom were coached by future Hall Of Famer Avery Johnson (whom ironically enough played under Riley with those 80s “Showtime” Lakers teams) & featured European superstar Dirk Nowitzki whom was named Finals MVP after averaging 26 points per game for the series; clinching it in 6 games thanks largely in part to some more late game heroics from Wade whom capped off his stellar postseason run with a triple double performance (36 points 15 rebounds 10 assists) in their Game 6 victory which gave him his 2nd straight Finals MVP award despite Nowitzki having slightly better statistical numbers for both that series & throughout his entire postseason career up until that point. After failing to repeat as champions however due mainly due key injuries especially Zo missing 29 games that 2006 season; they were stunned by eventual Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers led by LeBron James whom at only 22 years old became youngest player ever be named MVP That Year while also leading them past Detroit Pistons (whom were coached future Hall Of Famer Flip Saunders) en route to their first ever Eastern Conference Championship where despite being massive underdogs against Miami; took them all 7 hard fought closely contested grind it out defensively minded physical 100+ possessions per 48 minutes playoff style basketball type grind it out slugfest battles against Riley’s heavily favored much more experienced deep playoff tested battle tested championship experienced loaded Heat squad before finally succumbing 4–2 much like how Mark Twain predicted America would fall at beginning of 20th century: “More than one estimate places its demise two decades hence..”

With Zo retiring after that disappointing 2006 campaign though Miami would once again return back into title contention led by newly appointed team captain Wade whom helped lead them back into Eastern Conference Finals where despite being heavy underdogs against star studded Chicago Bulls team led by fellow 2003 Draft class mates Kirk Hinrich & Ben Gordon along with future All Star Luol Deng; pulled off yet another stunning upset when they swept them 4–0 en route back into NBA Finals where they met up with Dallas Mavericks once again albeit this time without Nowitzki whom was injured for most of series but still managed put up above average numbers when he did play while also being outcoached yet again by Johnson but this time lost 4–2 largely due key injuries suffered particularly Chris Bosh missing Games 1 & 2 while also being suspended Game 5 due flagrant foul he committed near end regulation which proved be costly since Mavs went onto win Game 5 104–97 then closed series out back home Dallas American Airlines Arena take commanding 3–2 lead going back into Miami hence increasing pressure put immense amount pressure put upon Bosh shoulders coming into must win Game 6 result being him playing extremely well finishing with 28 points 12 rebounds lead Miami crucial 98–96 victory give them chance tie close out series chance force deciding seventh final deciding winner take all hard fought closely contested grind it out defensively minded physical 100+ possessions per 48 minutes playoff style basketball type grind it out slugfest battles do or die elimination must win winner takes all situation result going onto lose 2011 NBA Finals Oklahoma City Thunder led young dynamic duo Russell Westbrook Kevin Durant handily 4–1index22

With all core members group leaving via free agency 2012 offseason including star players like James joining forces former longtime rivals older brother organization sibling rivalry known colloquially brethren cross town transaction transactional business business deal business method commodities commodity economic market economic system employment merchant mercantile physical market trade trading marketplace dealing commercial traffic transaction worth assets belongings chattels valuables property stock inventory reserves supply stuff holdings material resources equipment implements items movables ownership paraphernalia possessions produce utility wares article bearings bric--brac brummagem commodities doodads effects etceteras fetters goods grass hang--ups inhibitions junque kipple mementoes nephesh odds paraphernalia pep pill pignut pottage shoot shtik stuff tidbits truck effects encumbrances entity fuselage goods hardware jism meats nausea organism substance trinkets vessel vessels widgets baggage burden cargo encumbrance freight gravy hindrance import load lumber lading odds offline packing payload poop possessions secondhand smoke superego sweetener tonnage about almost blasphemously pathetically pitifully worthless contemptibly

The players

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat played against each other in the 2020 NBA Finals. The Lakers won the series 4–2.

LeBron James

LeBron James is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and weighing 250 pounds (113 kg), he has played the small forward and power forward positions. James has won three NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA scoring title, and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He has also been selected to thirteen NBA All-Star teams, twelve All-NBA teams, and six All-Defensive teams.

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis (born March 11, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the power forward and center positions. Davis was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. He quickly became one of the best players in the NBA, winning rookie of the year honors and later being selected to four All-Star teams and four All-NBA teams. A two-time gold medalist with Team USA at the Summer Olympics, Davis was named one of that team’s three best players during their successful defense of their Olympic title in 2016.

Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler (born September 14, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After one year of college basketball for Tyler Junior College, he transferred to Marquette University. Butler was drafted with the 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. He rapidly improved his skills and became one of the NBA’s most well-rounded players; he was selected to the NBA All-Star team in 2015 and 2018. In 2019, he led the Philadelphia 76ers to the Eastern Conference Finals.

In July 2019, Butler signed with the Miami Heat.

Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo (/ædəˈbeɪoʊ/ ad-ə-BAY-oh; born July 18, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. Adebayo was drafted with the 14th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2018. In 2019, he was selected to the NBA All-Star team and helped lead the Heat to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014.

The coaches

Frank Vogel

Frank Vogel is an American professional basketball coach for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He served as head coach of the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic. Vogel was born in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey and raised in Hammonton.

Erik Spoelstra

Erik Spoelstra is an American professional basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a two-time NBA champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
Spoelstra was born in Evanston, Illinois, and grew up in Multnomah County, Oregon. He is of Filipino descent; his grandfather served as a diplomat for the Philippines during World War II. Spoelstra graduated from the University of Portland in 1992 with a degree in communications.

Spoelstra began his coaching career as a video coordinator for the Portland Trail Blazers in 1992, and he was promoted to an assistant coach position in 1995. He later held assistant coaching positions with the Heat and the Golden State Warriors before becoming head coach of the Heat in 2008.

Under Spoelstra’s leadership, the Heat have made five NBA Finals appearances and won three NBA championships. He is one of only four Asian American head coaches in NBA history, and he is also one of only three head coaches who have never played professional basketball to win an NBA championship.

The stats

In the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors (GSW) defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers (CLE) in four games to retain their title as NBA Champions. GSW won the series 4-1. This was the third consecutive year that these two teams met in the Finals.

points

The stats below are from the last ten NBA Finals.
The teams listed are the winners.

Year | Winner | Points | Loser | Points
—--|——--|——--|——-|——--
2018 | Golden State Warriors | 129 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 120
2017 | Golden State Warriors | 129 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 120
2016 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 93 | Golden State Warriors | 89
2015 | Golden State Warriors | 104 | Cleveland Cavaliers in OT| 91
2014 || San Antonio Spurs over Miami Heat in 5 games. Kawhi Leonard named Finals MVP. series was 2-2 after four games, but Spurs pulled away in Game 5, winning 104-87.| James had 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who were without All-Star forward Chris Bosh because of a strained right calf muscle. Tim Duncan added 20 points and 14 rebounds for San Antonio. Tony Parker had 19 points and 10 assists, and Leonard finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Game 5 was the only game in the series in which neither team led by double figures.|
2013 || Miami Heat over San Antonio Spurs in 7 games. James named Finals MVP. Decided in final seconds of Game 7, when Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer to tie it with 5.2 seconds left in regulation, then LeBron James hit a jumper in overtime to give Miami a 103-100 victory over San Antonio – one of the most thrilling finishes in NBA history. The shots by Allen and James will live forever in basketball lore, and so will this series, one for the ages that featured amazing performances by both teams throughout as well as some heart-stopping moments down the stretch of every close game. It is widely considered one of the best Finals ever played. Dwyane Wade had 23 points and 10 rebounds, including a big block on Manu Ginobili with 1:09 left that helped seal it for Miami after San Antonio had two chances to take the lead late in regulation. Chris Bosh scored 20 points for Miami, which also got 16 points from Shane Battier off the bench. Ginobili led San Antonio with 24 points, while Tony Parker had 21 points and eight assists and Tim Duncan added 17 points and 13 rebounds but fouled out with 3:59 left in overtime

rebounds

In the NBA Finals, the leading rebounder was LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who averaged 13.3 rebounds per game. James was followed by Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors, who averaged 9.8 rebounds per game.

assists

In the 2017 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant had the most assists with 96. He was followed by LeBron James with 83 assists. Kyrie Irving was third with 79 assists.

The outcome

It was the Golden State Warriors vs the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals and the Warriors won. Some people are saying that the Cavaliers never had a chance, but that’s not true. The Cavaliers fought hard, but in the end, the Warriors were just too good. Let’s take a look at what happened.

Lakers win the championship

It was a close series, but the Lakers were ultimately victorious. They won the NBA championship for the first time in 10 years.