Debating who will win the 2020 NBA Finals

Who’s ready for another debate and poll? No, not about that; it’s about the Lakers vs. the Heat in the 2020 NBA Bubble Finals. First, here’s a very quick summary of the two teams:

The Lakers are big, excellent defensively, experienced, very fast and powerful in transition, and occasionally clunky in half-court offense. The Heat are young, play hard and smart, and feature a Spurs-ian motion offense that is joy to watch. Because they do not match up physically with more talented teams, the Heat often play a zone defense that can occasionally flummox opposing offenses. As part of that zone, the Heat will put on a soft full court zone press that forces the other team to use up some of the shot clock just getting the ball over half-court — something I have not seen mentioned elsewhere.

The Lakers will have the best two players on the court but are top-heavy. As John Hollinger at The Athletic has pointed out, the Heat probably have the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th best players in the series. Things would be different if the Lakers had 2013—2014 version of Danny Green, who would probably slot in as the 5th best player, behind LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Alas, that version of DG was six long years ago.

Now for the polling and the debate. This time, two questions.

First, who do you want to win? Is favorite ex-Spur DannyGreen!! enough to overcome Spurs fans’ long aversion to the Lakers? Can anyone root for Dwight Howard, who has decided to become a hockey enforcer as his career winds down? Is “Should Have Been a Spur” Duncan Robinson enough to root for the Miami Heat after Spurs fans rooted so hard against that franchise back in 2013 and 2014? Vote below.

Second, who do you predict to win? Will age and savvy overcome youth and exuberance once again?

After you vote, please feel free to debate in the comments section below, but unlike last night, please no bullying or interrupting, or references to “stand back and stand by,” which will not be tolerated.

The NBA Finals tip off tonight at 8:00 PM CT on ABC. Will you be watching?