This shouldn’t pose too many problems given his income, but LeBron James will probably have to invest in a new trophy cabinet. For the almost 39-year-old superstar (December 30), the NBA Cup (with the designation of MVP) gleaned on Saturday with the Lakers is in fact added to the four NBA championship titles (2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020), accompanied four regular season MVP awards and two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012.
The Los Angeles Lakers won this brand new competition, dominating the Indiana Pacers in the final (123-109), in a T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas totally committed to their cause. For his 21st NBA season, LeBron James will have been essential to his team from the start to the end of this tournament, created to energize the long regular season.
During a disappointing final, between repeated mistakes and blunders, the “King” scored 24 points and managed 11 rebounds. The pivot Anthony Davis was imperial with 41 points and 20 rebounds while the leader and star of the Pacers Tyrese Haliburton was perfectly muzzled.
A nice nest egg for the winners
In addition to each pocketing $500,000 (around 464,000 euros), the Lakers made their mark in a decisive match and finished undefeated in the competition (7 victories). Enough to look forward to the future play-offs with a little more serenity, after being beaten in the Western Conference final in the spring by Denver.
“You have to remember that it’s only December. We are happy with what we are capable of today, but we have to continue to improve, and stay healthy,” recalled LeBron James, whose team suffered from multiple injuries at the start of the season.
All matches, except the final of this new NBA Cup, counted for the regular season. The four-way final was organized in Las Vegas, on neutral ground. And the “King” confirmed his desire to found an NBA franchise there once his career is over. “They already have everything: a women’s franchise, a baseball team soon, American football, Formula 1 was there the week of Thanksgiving. It’s a city that loves big events, the NBA would be a real plus,” he assured.