Jayne Cumming-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
When LeBron James decided to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat in the summer of 2010, the entire landscape of the NBA changed. In the previous two seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant reached the Finals for three consecutive years and won the NBA championship in 2009 and 2010.
Although Wade won a championship ring with the Heat in 2006, LeBron had yet to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and the frustration was beginning to show. As it turned out, Kobe’s last championship with the Lakers in 2010 was the final straw for the two friends.
Wade appeared on Tony Parker’s “Skweek Show” and revealed that after the Lakers defeated the Celtics in Game 7, he saw Kobe Bryant celebrating after grabbing the ball and turned off the TV. Call LeBron now:
Dwayne Wade recounted how he turned off the TV and immediately called LeBron when Kobe Bryant won in 2010.
“LeBron, what are you going to do?”
“Kobe won all these rings and now he’s got five.”Miami’s superteam was created because of Kobe. 😂 pic.twitter.com/1QXAkRc5V3
—Brandon (@clickthatfollow) September 25, 2023
At the time, Kobe was everyone’s dream, and seeing him win a fifth championship was obviously frustrating for competitors like Wade and LeBron. There was definitely talk of teaming up with Bosh at this point, but seeing Kobe and the Lakers win again was clearly too much.
What happened next is well known by this time. LeBron made his infamous “decision” and formed a superteam in Miami. They won two championships in 2012 and 2013, but lost in two other Finals before LeBron returned to Cleveland. Many would consider LeBron’s time with the Heat to be his prime.
Once the Cavaliers are eliminated by the Celtics in the 2010 playoffs, no matter who wins the championship, LeBron is likely to have left for Miami. But seeing Kobe Bryant, the standard-bearer at the time, the Lakers’ victory was basically locked in the Heat super team again.
Markieff Morris says Lakers are ‘locked’ to win 2020 championship for Kobe Bryant
The 2010 championship will be the Lakers’ last championship until LeBron James personally leads the Lakers to the NBA championship in the bubble in 2020. Unfortunately, this came after the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, but it was this tragedy that provided the Lakers with motivation when it mattered.
Markieff Morris, a key member of this team, recently spoke about the journey, saying the Lakers knew they were going to win a championship before entering the bubble. Morris said the team is “locked” in winning that ring for Bryant and no team can stop them.