The Los Angeles Lakers hold a 3-1 series lead over the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals. Barring a miraculous comeback by Erik Spoelstra and Co., it looks like the NBA Title is coming home to Tinseltown this year.
Should LA ultimately emerge victorious, the one question on everyone’s mind is: who takes home NBA Finals MVP.
Is it going to be LeBron James or Anthony Davis?
This week, ESPN discussed that very question. Scottie Pippen, who has not been shy to criticize James and his place in history in the past, insisted that the answer was clear.
“The whole team for being in that damn bubble,” he replied.
“But, I have to take my hat off to LeBron James. To be able to fuel the fire that he’s running with right now, it’s amazing. 17 years in the league. Leading his team in numerous categories.
“You know, his leadership, his will, his dominance, like how is he still doing this at 17 years in the league? What’s still motivating him? You know, he’s my clear choice.”
Scottie Pippen on who should win Finals MVP if the Lakers win the series: “The whole team for being in that damn Bubble.” 😂
Scottie then adds: “I have to take my hat off to LeBron James – he’s my clear choice” pic.twitter.com/4qawcsYDXn— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 7, 2020
That is high praise coming from Pippen, who again, has not been shy to criticize James in the past.
It’s tough to argue with his assessment. James is averaging 27.8 points, 11 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game while shooting 54.1 percent from the field.
Davis is averaging 25.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and nearly 2 blocks per game while shooting 60.6 percent from the field.
Yikes Tyler Herro. https://t.co/LX84mxEocZ
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 7, 2020
Davis has been the more consistent three point shooter throughout the Finals, going 6 of 11 for 54.5 percent compared to James who is 8 of 22 for 36.4 percent.
If the Finals MVP were awarded after the first two outings, Davis would likely have claimed the crown. But since then, he has calmed down – whereas James has continued to deliver on a nightly basis.
Colin Kaepernick didn’t hold back. https://t.co/9TYIMQTh0f
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 8, 2020
Obviously anything can happen in Game 5. Davis could be dominant in victory, James could falter, and everything could change. Or maybe the Heat make this a series and win the next two, with James struggling and Davis playing well. Then the Finals MVP frontrunner would change.
But as things currently stand, Pippen is one hundred percent correct: James is the clear and evident choice for NBA Finals MVP.
Related: Steve Kerr Repeatedly, Mercilessly Shades Rockets
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
