2020 NBA Finals: Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Why does it matter whether or not they were “clear favorites”?

I feel like this is what this discussion is basically all about lol. King’s argument is moreso about the lack of context/nuance thats being applied behind the whole disrespect angle(If I’m wrong, let me know).

Even sitting on the sideline and reading these posts, the impression I’m getting is that fans are looking for some validation for something we had nothing to do with.

All this receipt pulling(shoutout to running that word into the ground)to gain what exactly? Like what do you personally get or is this just a matter of being able to talk trash because the team you’re rooting for won, in which case...congrats I guess. In the words of Chris Rock, “What you want? A cookie!?”

When Lebron mentioned the whole respect thing, it didn’t bother me but I thought it was odd. Like *****, 97% of the Basketball World already think you’re one of the best players to ever play the game and will go down as a Top 3-5 player to ever play so what are you fussing about? Lol you want full 100% recognition?

Other than that, didn’t bother me because when you win a championship, you can say what you want.

[BleacherBum2310]

Quote: Originally Posted by dubcity

I don't think they were ever underdogs, not when you have the best player on the planet. But they were never the clear favorites to win it all either. Not in October, not in January, not in the bubble before the playoffs. To say otherwise is some strong selective memory.

Clippers were the clear favorites but then it was LAL and the Bucks. So I don't get it.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[dubcity]

Quote: Originally Posted by JazzMan

They were one of three teams out of thirty that were heavily favored to win it all though. Hell even Milwaukee was pretty sketch from the start of the bubble onwards, ask the Bucks guys on here Sent from my SM-A515U using Tapatalk

Sure, but let's be honest, when the Clippers got Kawhi and PG the narrative wasn't that those 3 were somehow tied for most likely to win it. Clippers were the team. Lakers fell back by a lot.

[ojandpizza]

Quote: Originally Posted by ProfessaPackMan

Why does it matter whether or not they were “clear favorites”?

This is the golden ticket answer for the last 10 pages from both sides of the fence.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The 24th Letter]

I didn't watch all the post game pressers, but I'm fairly certain none of the Lakers referred to themselves as underdogs, or that they were some undermanned team scrapping to survive the playoffs.

I posted LeBron's full quote earlier. It contained none of that either.

So, even if its conceded that not a soul doubted the Lakers moves, players, or contention, I guess I'm still trying to understand what's crazy about using the (let's say perceived, I guess) slights of critics as motivation, ...outside of "It's LeBron". We've heard some variation of this for years now.

Was this the energy from the folks upset about his comments when the Warriors were "silencing doubters" and making sure we knew about it 3 out of 4 years?

[Vni]

Regardless, if LeBron feels disrespected thats how he feels and thats the end of it. Cant argue feelings.

[Master Live 013]

Pre-season favorites to win the Title (October):

1. Clippers: +425
2. Lakers: +450
3. Bucks: +550
4. Rockets: +700
5. Sixers: +775
6. Warriors: +950

Just before Round 1:

1. Clippers: +238
2. Lakers: +280
3. Bucks: +330
4. Celtics: +1050
5. Raptors: +1200

https://www.sportsoddshistory.com/nb...&a=finals&o=r1

[JazzMan]

Quote: Originally Posted by ojandpizza

From LeBron's respect quote? Or something else

Sure, that's one of them. I don't know where all the alleged "disrespect" is coming from. He's pretty much been heralded as the best player in the league (rightfully so) or at least Top 2/3 since his Miami days. And it's not like nobody was saying the Lakers couldn't do it, they have two Top 5/6 players in the league lol with one of them being arguably the best in the world at age 35/36. No matter the team composition around them, that's a title favorite. Yeah, the Lakers have a lot of haters, but not many of them were doubting their actual ability to win the title unless they were trying to get headlines on First Take or Undisputed or some ****

Also;

Caruso: "I don't think a lot of people thought we could do it. A lot of people picked some other teams in the West. A couple teams in the East."

The only adversity they faced IMO was Kobe passing, and even then, Kobe was like a big brother to a lot of guys in the league, his death affected everybody, not just the Lakers. Same thing applies to the Bubble, every team down there was on an even playing field (injuries aside), each team had been there just as long as the Lakers were

Sent from my SM-A515U using Tapatalk