Hindi umano natitinag ang Miami Heat kahit abot-kamay na ng Los Angeles Lakers ang kampeonato sa NBA Finals.
Isang panalo na lamang kasi ang kailangan ng Lakers bago tanghal muli bilang NBA champions matapos ang isang dekada.
Ayon kay Heat center Bam Adebayo, bagama’t hindi sila ang paboritong magwagi sa best-of-seven series, naniniwala pa rin sila na kaya nilang masilat ang mas malakas na Lakers na pinamumunuan ng tandem nina LeBron James at Anthony Davis.
“We’ve got a chance,” wika ni Adebayo. “We still believe. They’re writing us off. Everybody is doubting us. But as long as the people in the locker room and all our coaching staff have belief in us, that’s all that matters.”
Sinabi naman ng leading scorer ng Miami na si Jimmy Butler, gagawin niya raw ang kanyang sarili bilang modelo ng Heat na ibuhos ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya para sa Game 5.
“I’ve got to be able to do a lot more,” ani Butler. “I’ve got to be able to set the tone from the jump, play with the most energy I’ve ever played with for these next three games, and win. That’s what I’ve got to do: Win.”
Kung si Fil-Am head coach Erik Spoelstra naman ang tatanungin, hindi raw nila babalewalain ang tsansang ibinigay sa kanila para maghari sa NBA, lalo na’t ang kanilang mga nakalabang koponan ay nakaupo na lamang at nanood na lamang sa kanila.
“Our guys are the ones who are out there in the arena marred by dust, blood, sweat and tears,” giit ni Spoelstra. “Our guys are the ones out there — 28 other teams aren’t out there. Everybody else is basically on their comfortable couches spectating on this one. Our guys are the ones that are in the arena, and that’s right where they are meant to be.”
Sa panig naman ng Lakers, nakapokus pa rin daw sila para sa next game kahit alam nilang isang panalo na lamang sila mula sa pinapangarap nilang singsing.
