The LA Lakers have ended their 10-year wait to win to win a 17th NBA championship after sealing the this year’s title with a 4-2 series victory over Miami Heat.
For the first time since Kobe Bryant's fifth and final title a decade ago, the Lakers - inspired by LeBron James – claimed the NBA championship on Sunday night.
It was a touching end to an emotional year for the Lakers, with legend Bryant having died in a helicopter crash in January.
James had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 106-93 on Sunday night to win the NBA Finals in six games.
"It means a lot to represent this franchise," said James.
"I told [Lakers president] Jeanie [Buss] when I came here that I was going to put this franchise back in the position where it belongs.
"We just want our respect. Rob [Pelinka] wants his respect, coach [Frank] Vogel wants his respect, our organisation wants its respect, Lakers nation wants its respect.
"And I want my respect too."
Reflecting on Bryant's death in January, and the significance of ending their wait for a championship in the same year, he said: “If we weren’t already as close as we could be, that [Bryant’s death] made us closer.
"It brought the whole basketball world close as well but when you’re internal and it hits home, it just means that much more.”
