LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. (Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
LeBron James signified the importance of Game 4 of the 2020 NBA Finals through text.
LeBron James‘ Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from winning an NBA Championship.
If the Lakers were to defeat the Miami Heat once in the next three games, it would be James’ fourth championship of his illustrious career and the 17th in the history of the Lakers franchise. In doing so, he’d be the first player to lead three different teams to a title, joining the 2012-13 Heat teams and the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers. So yes, he texted his teammates how important it is.
What does a fourth NBA championship do for LeBron James’ basketball legacy?
James is locked in and threatened to not sleep in the Orlando bubble until his team wins a league championship. Doing so would get him one championship closer to Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Magic Johnson, as well as tie him with Shaquille O’Neal. Being able to catch Michael Jordan‘s six would be within reach, but James will be in his late 30s before being able to accomplish that.
Even though this won’t be the most celebrated NBA championship in the history of the Lakers, it will do a great deal to help players like James and Anthony Davis be Lakers greats. When you’re that talented of a player, you are expected to win a a championship in purple and gold. Unless the Lakers collapse like the 2016 Golden State Warriors or a Doc Rivers-coached team, they got this.
Telling your teammates an NBA Finals game is a must-win is super corny, but hey, it worked.