Last summer, just before the Finals, I started noticing coincidences between the Miami Heat team ('06 - present) and the post-Shaq Laker team. After Miami managed to equalize the series 3-3 last night, I was reminded of these events, and how they have perfectly carried on. There are differences between the teams, and I'm not saying that these mean anything, but they are quite interesting to see:
2002 - Los Angeles Lakers win title with Shaquille O'Neal
2006 - Miami Heat win title with Shaquille O'Neal
2 Years Later
2004 - Shaquille O'Neal leaves the Lakers, Lakers become lottery team
2008 - Shaquille O'Neal leaves the Heat, Miami become lottery team
After that
2006, 2007 - After missing the playoffs, the Lakers have back to back 1st round exits. Their first playoff bout ends in 7, their second in 5. During this time, the team is essentially Kobe Bryant (A top-5 player) and garbage.
2009, 2010 - After missing the playoffs, the Heat have back to back 1st round exits. Their first playoff bout ends in 7, their second in 5. During this time, the team is essentially Dwayne Wade (A top-5 player) and garbage.
2008 - The Lakers' solid off season/trade deadline allows them to become one of the best teams in the league.
2011 - The Heat's solid off season/trade deadline allows them to become one of the best teams in the league.
2008 - The Lakers make it all the way to the Finals, without much competition, only to lose in 6 to a defensive minded team full of hungry veterans. Their star player receives a ton of hate for his poor performance.
2011 - The Heat make it all the way to the Finals, without much competition, only to lose in 6 to a defensive minded team full of hungry veterans. Their star player receives a ton of hate for his poor performance.
2009 - The Lakers make it back to the Finals, and get matched up against an inexperienced team featuring one of the brightest young stars in the NBA.
2012 - The Heat make it back to the Finals, and get matched up against an inexperienced team featuring one of the brightest young stars in the NBA.
2009 - The Lakers win in 5, proving all the doubters wrong
2012 - The Heat win in 5, proving all the doubters wrong
2010 - The Lakers make it back to the finals, matched up against a former title team with it's core still in tact.
2013 - The Heat make it back to the finals, matched up against a former title team with it's core still in tact.
2010 - The Lakers go down 3-2, but win Game 6 to force Game 7 at home.
2013 - The Heat go down 3-2, but win Game 6 to force Game 7 at home.
2010 - The Lakers manage to win game 7, claiming the NBA title and winning back-to-back.
2013 - The Heat ????
Coincidence? I THINK NOT
2002 - Los Angeles Lakers win title with Shaquille O'Neal
2006 - Miami Heat win title with Shaquille O'Neal
2 Years Later
2004 - Shaquille O'Neal leaves the Lakers, Lakers become lottery team
2008 - Shaquille O'Neal leaves the Heat, Miami become lottery team
After that
2006, 2007 - After missing the playoffs, the Lakers have back to back 1st round exits. Their first playoff bout ends in 7, their second in 5. During this time, the team is essentially Kobe Bryant (A top-5 player) and garbage.
2009, 2010 - After missing the playoffs, the Heat have back to back 1st round exits. Their first playoff bout ends in 7, their second in 5. During this time, the team is essentially Dwayne Wade (A top-5 player) and garbage.
2008 - The Lakers' solid off season/trade deadline allows them to become one of the best teams in the league.
2011 - The Heat's solid off season/trade deadline allows them to become one of the best teams in the league.
2008 - The Lakers make it all the way to the Finals, without much competition, only to lose in 6 to a defensive minded team full of hungry veterans. Their star player receives a ton of hate for his poor performance.
2011 - The Heat make it all the way to the Finals, without much competition, only to lose in 6 to a defensive minded team full of hungry veterans. Their star player receives a ton of hate for his poor performance.
2009 - The Lakers make it back to the Finals, and get matched up against an inexperienced team featuring one of the brightest young stars in the NBA.
2012 - The Heat make it back to the Finals, and get matched up against an inexperienced team featuring one of the brightest young stars in the NBA.
2009 - The Lakers win in 5, proving all the doubters wrong
2012 - The Heat win in 5, proving all the doubters wrong
2010 - The Lakers make it back to the finals, matched up against a former title team with it's core still in tact.
2013 - The Heat make it back to the finals, matched up against a former title team with it's core still in tact.
2010 - The Lakers go down 3-2, but win Game 6 to force Game 7 at home.
2013 - The Heat go down 3-2, but win Game 6 to force Game 7 at home.
2010 - The Lakers manage to win game 7, claiming the NBA title and winning back-to-back.
2013 - The Heat ????
Coincidence? I THINK NOT
