The champions have returned home. After a prolonged season, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged as champions in the Orlando bubble. They returned to LA on Monday, bringing home the Larry O’Brien trophy.

As their plane arrived at LAX, the LAFD (Los Angeles Fire Department) gave them a water salute.

Once they got off the plane, the players were ambushed by media members and thousands of fans who came to welcome the champions. LeBron James walked in with the Finals MVP trophy in his hands, while Anthony Davis said, “This is even better than the championship, to be back!” Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma also expressed how it felt good to be back, after months in the bubble.

Lakers: Defying all expectations

During the off-season, hardly anyone predicted the Lakers to win it all. In ESPN’s off-season survey, the Lakers received 0 votes to win the title, while the LA Clippers received 13. Even the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets received one each, but none for the Lakers.

“I’m going to say the Clippers right now,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “Certainly I’d understand why someone would say the Lakers, but I don’t trust the Lakers to get anything right.”

Trending

7’4 Victor Wembanyama, Accused of Disrespecting Knicks Star, Gets MVP Shout-Out From Unbothered Jalen Brunson

April 19, 2024 02:58 PM EDT

After Nike, Sha’Carri Richardson Follows Lebron James Footsteps In Historic Partnership With Sprite

April 19, 2024 01:40 AM EDT

Possible Shohei Ohtani Ban From MLB Has Shaq Questioning $700 Million Contract

April 16, 2024 05:20 PM EDT

Why Did the Washington Mystics Pass on Angel Reese? Insider Spills the Beans on Chicago Sky Star’s #6 Pick Snub

April 20, 2024 10:16 AM EDT

“I Am Sorry to Her” – Caitlin Clark Responds to Her Third-Grade Teacher’s Special Message.

April 17, 2024 09:19 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

And look at how that went. The Lakers destroyed their opponents in the Western Conference to set up a date in the NBA Finals against another team who weren’t fancied to reach this stage, the Miami Heat. Six games later, the Lakers walked away as the champions, ending a decade of title drought.

The whole team had players who were battling individual criticism. The critics didn’t think that a 35-year old LeBron was championship quality. They doubted whether Dwight Howard could still contribute to an NBA team. And Rajon Rondo’s ability was also questioned. But each of them proved their critics wrong and are now enjoying their championship victory.

The Lakers will be hoping that they can return stronger next season and continue to be dominant.