The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat playing in the 2020 NBA Finals is a historic matchup in that it’s the first time both teams playing for the Larry O’Brien trophy failed to reach the playoffs the previous season.
LeBron James’ debut season with the Lakers fell vastly short of expectations as a mixture of the new changes, injuries and off-court drama culminated in his absence from the NBA Finals for the first time in eight seasons.
Former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson wasted no time in embracing the championship aspirations upon taking control of the front office.