For two proud franchises that have never met outside of their mandated regular-season encounters, the approaching NBA Finals between the Lakers and Miami Heat feels like a clash of old rivals. Which is really saying something considering the actual rivalry that would have been rekindled had the other team in the Eastern Conference finals prevailed.
But this series has even more cultural currency than a 13th Lakers-Celtics title tilt might have and the personalities to make for appointment viewing. It’s LeBron James versus the team he led to back-to-back titles and Pat Riley versus the franchise he coached to four championships. It’s an opportunity for Frank Vogel to exorcise the demons of his great Indiana Pacers teams that repeatedly ran up against the Heat.
The Lakers enter the finals as a clear favorite after running away with the West’s best record in the regular season and winning all three of their conference playoff series in five games.
