Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals was one of the most triumphant games and moments in Los Angeles Lakers history. Early in the fourth quarter, they lost 13 points at home to their arch-rival Boston Celtics, and at this point, Kobe Bryant had his worst game ever.
But just when it looked like the game was going to be a disaster, Kobe Bryant excelled down the stretch and his teammates followed suit, winning 83-79 and the Lakers’ fifth win since 2000. Become a world champion.
Miami Heat great Dwyane Wade admits “Skweek Show” Once Los Angeles won the NBA title, he immediately called LeBron James and wanted to put together a superteam to counter what Kobe and the Lakers had been doing (h/t Sportskeeda).
“I remember as soon as Kobe ran over and grabbed the ball, I turned off the TV, and I like pffft (remotely turning off the TV). LeBron? (laughing) … So what do you do?
“… It was our free-agent summer. They (the Lakers) were dominant. Kobe won all these rings. I was like, ‘Wait, now he’s got five (titles) and we’ve got one ?'”
Just a few weeks later, James and Chris Bosh were on the Heat, and just like that, the NBA’s next great team was taking shape.
The Lakers were old and frail and failed to return to the Finals as planned. Miami, on the other hand, made the championship series in each of the next four seasons, winning them all in 2012 and 2013, with Wade getting three rings and James getting one. The first two championship rings.
Of course, James joining the Lakers in 2018 and taking the 17th overall pick in 2020 will help restore the Lakers’ mystique. With a strong supporting cast around him, he could end up with a fifth championship ring, just like Kobe Bryant, this coming season.
Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire