LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The ultimate anguish. The ultimate joy.
This season, for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, had it all. And it ended in the only fashion that they deemed would be acceptable, with them back atop the basketball world.
For the first time since Kobe Bryant's fifth and final title a decade ago, the Lakers are NBA champions. 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.
Anthony Davis had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who dealt with the enormous anguish that followed the death of the iconic Bryant in January and all the challenges that came with leaving home for three months to play at Walt Disney World in a bubble designed to keep inhabitants safe from the coronavirus.
It would be, James predicted, the toughest title to ever win.
They made the clincher look easy. James won his fourth title, doing it with a third different franchise — and against the Heat franchise that showed him to to become a champion.
Bam Adebayo had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Miami, which got 12 points from Jimmy Butler — the player who, in his first Heat season, got the team back to title contention. Rajon Rondo scored 19 points for the Lakers.
With that, the league's bubble chapter, put together after a 4 1/2-month suspension of play that started March 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic, is over. So, too, is a season that saw the league and China get into political sparring, the death on Jan. 1 of commissioner emeritus David Stern — the man who did so much to make the league what it is — and then the shock on Jan. 26 that came with the news that Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other died in a helicopter crash.
The Lakers said they were playing the rest of the season in his memory.
They delivered what Bryant did five times for L.A. — a ring, and the clincher was emphatic.
Game 6 was over by halftime, the Lakers taking a 64-36 lead into the break. The Heat never led and couldn't shoot from anywhere: 35% from 2-point range in the half, 33% from 3-point range and even an uncharacteristic 42% from the line, not like any of it really mattered. The Lakers were getting everything they wanted and then some, outscoring Miami 36-16 in the second quarter and doing all that with James making just one shot in the period.
Rajon Rondo, now a two-time champion and the first to win rings as a player in both Boston and Los Angeles — the franchises now tied with 17 titles apiece — was 6 for 6 in the half, the first time he'd done that since November 2007. The Lakers' lead was 46-32 with 5:00 left in the half, and they outscored Miami 18-4 from there until intermission.
Ball game. The 28-point halftime lead was the second-biggest in NBA Finals history, topped only by the Celtics leading the Lakers 79-49 on May 27, 1985.
True to form, the Heat — a No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference that finished with a losing record last season, a team that embraced the challenge of the bubble like none other — didn't stop playing, not even when the deficit got to 36 in the third quarter.
A 23-8 run by Miami got the Heat to 90-69 with 8:37 left. But the outcome was never in doubt, and before long confetti was blasted into the air as the Lakers' celebration formally and officially began.
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Members of the Los Angeles Lakers kneel as center Meyers Leonard stands before Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) and Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (13) for the tipoff during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) passes the ball against Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (22) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) goes up for a basket against the Miami Heat defense during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) looks to pass the ball against Miami Heat's Andre Iguodala (28) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) shoots over Miami Heat's Duncan Robinson (55) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
APTOPIX NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) dunks against Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (22) and Jae Crowder (99) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) celebrates with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
APTOPIX NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (13) and Jimmy Butler (22) rejects a shot by Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
APTOPIX NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (13) misses a shot as Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) was fouled on the play during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) and Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) argues a call with a referee during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Miami Heat's Jae Crowder (99) kneels after colliding with Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Rajon Rondo (9) goes up for a shot during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) holds his hip after colliding with Miami Heat's Goran Dragic (7) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) reacts after colliding with Miami Heat's Goran Dragic (7) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) talks to Rajon Rondo (9) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Rajon Rondo (9) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) goes up for a dunk during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra directs his team during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) talks to his teammates during the second half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (13) dunks during the second half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) celebrates with Anthony Davis (3) during the second half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (22) goes up for a basket during the second half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Kyle Kuzma (0) goes up for a shot during the second half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Kyle Kuzma (0) takes a shot against Miami Heat's Tyler Herro (14) during the second half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
APTOPIX NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

The Los Angeles Lakers players celebrate after the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

The Los Angeles Lakers players celebrate after the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
APTOPIX NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) dunks during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (22) drives against Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) looks to shoot against Miami Heat defense during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) argues a call with the officials during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' Rajon Rondo (9) passes the ball against Miami Heat's Jae Crowder (99) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NBA Finals Lakers Heat Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) takes a shot over Miami Heat's Kelly Olynyk (9) during the second half in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
TIP-INS
Lakers: Davis did not wear the gold-painted sneakers that he had for Game 5; instead, he went with red-and-black ones Sunday. ... Among the ring-winners: Dion Waiters, who began this season with the Heat; 19-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker (he turns 20 Nov. 25) and Kostas Antetokounmpo — the brother of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Heat: Goran Dragic (torn left plantar fascia) checked in late in the first quarter, his first appearance since Game 1 of the series. ... Jae Crowder had 12 points and Duncan Robinson had 10 for the Heat.
JOIN THE CLUB
John Salley and Robert Horry were, until Sunday, the only players to win championships with three different franchises. James (Miami, Cleveland) and Danny Green (San Antonio, Toronto) added their names to that list with this title.
HEAT SEASON
Miami led the NBA with 94 games played this season — 30 more than Minnesota, which played the fewest in the NBA. The Heat finished with 1,247 3-pointers this season, including playoffs, 290 more than any other year in team history.
UP NEXT
Nobody knows. The draft is set for Nov. 18, but the dates for the start of free agency, training camps and next season's schedule could be weeks away from being finalized.