2023-12-10 10:52:12
Led by “King” LeBron James and an immense Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers lifted the very first NBA Cup on Saturday in Las Vegas, thanks to their victory in the final over the Indiana Pacers (123-109).
Already a four-time NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020), four-time regular season MVP, Olympic champion in 2008 and 2012, LeBron James has further expanded his immense record at almost 39 years old (he will be on December 30) . For his 21st NBA season, the basketball superstar will have been essential to his team from the start to the end of this new tournament, created to energize the long regular season.
He thus lifts a new trophy with his Lakers, after the NBA title acquired in the Orlando Covid bubble in 2020. The “King” was obviously named MVP of the tournament.
Saturday in Las Vegas, on a bright red and blue floor, under the eyes of a few stars like the Franco-American actor Timothée Chalamet, James compiled 24 points and 11 rebounds. The final, played against the young and electric Indiana Pacers of leader Tyrese Haliburton, was disappointing, chopped up by mistakes and blunders on both sides, after the NBA Cup had offered some magnificent encounters in recent days.
“Each game of this NBA Cup made us grow”
In a T-mobile Arena totally committed to their cause, the Lakers nevertheless managed a superb defensive performance, against the best attack in the league. “I liked the way we played Thursday in the semi-final and then tonight. Our defensive intensity has allowed us to win high-level matches in recent weeks. Every game of this NBA Cup has made us grow,” James commented after the game, before plunging his feet and calves into an ice bath in a festive locker room.
His teammates notably stifled leader Tyrese Haliburton, constantly pressed and harassed by yellow and purple jerseys. Haliburton remained on two sublime performances in the quarters then in the semis against Boston and Milwaukee, the two leaders of the Eastern Conference. Saturday, with 20 points and 11 assists, he seemed caught up by the pressure of a final, he the young (23 years old) leader of an inexperienced team, not even qualified for the last play-offs.
“We are disgusted, frustrated. We were dominated from start to finish of the match. We didn’t do the job on rebounding, on ball losses, on defensive stops,” he said. The Lakers imposed their rhythm on the game, playing on their strength in the low post with their pivot Anthony Davis, imperial with 41 points and 20 rebounds.
And now a franchise in Las Vegas?
“It’s important for me to have helped my team. I know that I am the defensive pillar, that I allow others to press the opponents. If they ever get passed I wait under the circle to hinder or block the shots. It’s my job, we were perfect defensively,” greeted the pivot with the famous single eyebrow.
In addition to pleasing boss LeBron James and each pocketing $500,000 (around 464,000 euros), the Lakers made an impression in a decisive match and finished undefeated in the competition (7 victories). Enough to look forward to the future playoffs with a little more serenity, after being beaten in the Western Conference final in the spring by Denver.
“You have to remember that it’s only December. We are happy with what we are capable of today, but we have to continue to improve and stay healthy,” recalled James, whose team suffered from multiple injuries at the start of the season.
The NBA offered this competition for the first time, the final 4 of which was played on neutral ground in Las Vegas on Thursday (half) and Saturday. All matches, except the final, counted for the regular season. In the gaming city for three days, LeBron James was able to confirm his desire to found an NBA franchise there once his career is over. “They already have everything: a women’s franchise, a baseball team soon, American football, Formula 1 was there the week of Thanksgiving. It’s a city that loves big events, the NBA would be a real plus,” underlined the four-time MVP.
#NBA #Cup #insatiable #LeBron #James #Lakers #lift #brand #trophy #Las #Vegas