Three Reasons Why the Lakers Will Win the 2020 NBA Championship

While the Los Angeles Lakers have just dropped their second game of the National Basketball Association (NBA) restart inside the house of Mickey Mouse- losing to the Toronto Raptors by 16 points, it doesn't mean that they are no longer the favorites to win this year's NBA title. In fact, most pundits believe that the stoppage of the season last March may have actually benefited the Lakers and furthermore strengthened their chances of hoisting the Larry O' Brien trophy by the end of the playoffs. 

Perhaps the most important factor to consider why the Lakers can actually go all the way this season is that the hiatus that was brought about by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, actually allowed LeBron James to take a rest for almost four straight months and that's important for a player who went to the NBA Finals for EIGHT consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2018. As mentioned by Jinno Rufino in last night's episode of "Bull By the Horn" by Benny Benitez, "A rest LeBron James is a scary LeBron James" and that, the numbers backed them up. In last Friday's victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, LeBron James ' scoring took a backseat as he only finished with 16 points on six for 19 field goal shooting but his putback with 17 seconds left gave the Lakers the lead and his defense on BOTH Kawhi Leonard and Paul George secured the 103-101 win for the Purple and Gold. Against the defending champions who won against the Lakers for the tenth straight time, the King finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.  

Another reason why LeBron James will be the reason for the Lakers potentially winning it all this year? In the words of Jude Turcuato who was also a guest in last night's run of "Bull By the Horn" by Benny Benitez,  "LeBron James will take it upon himself to put the Lakers in the best situation to win it all" and that, LeBron James himself knows that this may be his last chance of actually winning a championship as he is now entering his last good years in the game. 

Jinno Rufino also pointed out that Anthony Davis' presence on the court will be another reason why the Lakers will win it all for the first time since 2010. While the Raptors were able to limit Davis to just 14 points after erupting for 34 points last Friday, Rufino pointed out that Davis' ability to play defense has changed the atmosphere of the games and that, he's one of the reasons why the Lakers are actually one of the top defensive teams in the league. 

But the most important reason why the Lakers would win it all this year is that they want to win it for the latte Kobe Bryant who passed away last January- an accident basketball fans are still trying to move on from. It's as if the death of the Laker great has become a motivation for LeBron James and company to push themselves to go all the way. It's the perfect tribute for someone who has been the face of the team for 20 years. And more importantly, it's something that even the late Laker guard would probably want to happen considering the current situation we are in.

Benny Benitez, Jude Turcuato, and Jinno Rufino all predicted that the Los Angeles Lakers would win it all with Turcuato even pointing the "talent" that the team has as the primary reason as the bubble situation in Orlando has lifted all the factors that could affect the team's chances. And if LeBron James and Anthony Davis can stay away from injuries the rest of the way, they could scare a lot of teams. Not to mention, "Playoff LeBron" is back

Photo is from the Los Angeles Times