NBA Finals: LeBron-Anthony Davis “humbled”, Shaq-Kobe Comparison

ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 02: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk on the court against the Miami Heat during Game Two of the NBA Finals on October 2, 2020, in Orlando Florida at AdventHealth Arena. (Copyright 2020 NBAE David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP)

Tennie Sumague
EBC New York Bureau

(Eagle News) – The Anthony Davis-LeBron James tandem is proving to be too much for the short-handed Miami Heat. The two All-Stars dominated again Friday night scoring a combined 65 points to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 2-0 advantage with a 124-114 win over the Heat.

Davis (32 points, 14 rebounds) and James (33 points, nine rebounds, nine assists) became the first Lakers pairing to score 30+ points in the finals since Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant did it in 2002 against the New Jersey Nets who were led back then by current Lakers assistant coach, Jason Kidd.

“Being in high school, watching the Kobe-Shaq was the most dominant duo that I have personally seen in my life from a basketball perspective,” said James. We knew the force that Shaq brought to the table, but the elegance and force that Kobe played with as well. They were very dominant in what they did on the floor, on both sides of the floor.

“So to be in the conversation with those two guys, myself and AD, is just very humbling because I grew up watching those guys…It’s very humbling that we can be even mentioned with those greats.”

Davis compared himself more to Shaq because according to him he “plays the post”, while James is Kobe because “he handles the ball.” Though Shaq and Kobe clashed during their three championship title runs, Davis says they’re the “best duo  ” because of their dominance and their eagerness to win.

“They were arguing because they both wanted to be so dominant. They both wanted to be great and they both wanted to win,” Davis said. “That’s why they gelled together outside of everything else that you might have heard that they were going through. But you know, those two guys were selfless. They both had a competitive spirit with themselves to will their teams to win. I think me and Bron are the same way.”

(Eagle News Service)