Around the NBA: 2020 Finals preview

The stage is set for the 2020 NBA Finals to begins. The stage in question is both familiar and new.

Much of the 2020 NBA Playoffs have been familiar; seven-game-series throughout, high energy play, and LeBron James in the Finals. However, much is certainly different; no fans, no home court advantage, and all of the restrictions that come from the players, coaches, staff, and referees living in the Orlando bubble.

The new setting and conditions have yielded interesting results. Young teams seemed to do well, such as the Phoenix Suns (though they just missed the Playoffs). This may be because they have less family to miss or perhaps they are not so far removed from AAU days that played out much like bubble life.

Age did not always play a large part, as one constant was unaffected. LeBron James has led yet another team, this time the LA Lakers, to the NBA Finals in his 17th NBA season. Many suspected a Lakers vs. Clippers Western Conference Final, but the Denver Nuggets came back from being down three games to one to take the Clippers spot. Denver did the same one round before against the Utah Jazz, becoming the first team in history to overcome multiple 3-1 deficits.

Despite close games, including one that came down to an Anthony Davis buzzer beater, the Lakers trumped the Nuggets to make their first Finals since the days of Kobe Bryant.

In the Eastern Conference, these bubble playoffs have resulted in one of the biggest upsets the Association has had in a while. The Miami Heat had been a solid team throughout, but have clicked in the 2020 Playoffs in a big way.

Five seeded Miami put everyone on notice after dismantling MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks were at one point on historic pace through regular season play. They never quite recaptured the magic in Orlando, stumbling through seeding games and their first round series before running into the determined Heat team, which was firing on all cylinders.

The Heat played a hard-fought Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics and now face the final boss that so many teams do on their way to a championship - LeBron.

2020 NBA Finals preview

Some may argue that Boston would have been a better matchup to face the Los Angeles Lakers. That argument matters little, as the better squad won in the Miami Heat. This is Jimmy Butler’s first year in South Beach, but it is definitely going according to plan.

After emerging as a star in Chicago, Butler failed to find players to match his tenacious approach during his stints in Minnesota and Philadelphia. The Miami Heat have a strong culture that has been able to persevere for years through longtime coach, Erik Spoelstra and veteran forward, Udonis Haslem.

Miami is an intriguing mix of young players, emerging stars, and veteran talent. Their shooters are red hot and their bigs are engaged and unafraid of the moment. 20 year old rookie Tyler Herro has impressed as well as first time All Star, Bam Adebayo. Point guard, Goran Dragic has regained a spark that he seemed to be missing over the last few seasons and wing Duncan Robinson looks like the best shooter on the planet right now.

Former NBA Finals MVP, Andre Iguodala is 36, but has played increasing minutes as games grow in importance. He has guarded LeBron James many times before and has as good a chance as most to slow him down. That will be the challenge - Miami looks great, but they face a heavily favored squad.

Though most conversations about the Los Angeles Lakers start and end with LeBron, he is not the clear-cut best player in their starting lineup. A fellow MVP candidate and the runner up for Defensive Player of the Year, Anthony Davis will be a nightmare for Miami.

It was one thing for the Heat to slow down Antetokounmpo, but James and Davis at the same time will be a new beast. LeBron led the NBA in assists this season and does not have to do the heavy lifting at all times. It does not take many of LA’s shooters to get hot to produce a nearly unstoppable offense.

The Lakers have great size with not only their two stars, but the active Javale McGee and a re-energized Dwight Howard in the middle. It will be perimeter play that the Lakers need to put them over the top. If Danny Green or Kyle Kuzma can have at least one hot game each, the Lakers will have a big advantage.

If fan favorites - Alex Caruso, JR Smith, or Dion Waiters - get in on the fun, it could be lights out. However, the Heat’s determination and consistent play has gotten them this far. If LA cannot play up to elite levels consistently or falter on either side of the floor, the Heat will take advantage.

This should be a great series. The full schedule is below per NBA.com:

Game 1: Wednesday, Sept. 30: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 8 CT
Game 2: Friday, Oct. 2: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 8 CT
Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 4: L.A. Lakers at Miami Heat, 6:30 CT
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 6: L.A. Lakers at Miami Heat, 8 CT
Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 9: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 8 CT
Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 11: L.A. Lakers at Miami Heat, 6:30 CT
Game 7*: Tuesday, Oct. 13: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 8 CT

* = if necessary

All games will be on ABC. Stay tuned and follow along as we keep up with what goes on around the NBA. Our Twitter is the best place to do so. This will be hoops at the highest level! Join us and stay on top of the action!