The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the spectacular tales within the NBA this season. After beginning the yr with a 2-10 file, the group snuck into the playoffs by way of the play-in event, and now discover themselves favored of their 2nd spherical collection towards the Golden State Warriors.
SAS: Westbrook And Beverley Don’t Deserve Rings If Lakers Win
It took some severe roster shifting throughout the season. The tides really turned for the Lakers throughout January and across the commerce deadline, once they acquired guys like D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura amongst others. However it might have been the addition by subtraction that aided Los Angeles probably the most.
Throughout their flurry of transactions, the group removed guards Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook, and the Lakers benefitted. Beginning on the day they had been traded (February ninth), the Lakers went 18-8 to shut out the common season, and glided previous the 2nd-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in Spherical 1.
“Hell no [they don’t deserve rings]. Are you kidding me? … I received mad love for Patrick Beverley… Russell Westbrook, mad respect for him… The fact is that the Lakers are higher with out you than they had been with you.”
Agree with Stephen A. Smith? 🤔pic.twitter.com/lxNtttgMsX
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 4, 2023
Technically, each Westbrook and Beverley performed for the Lakers lengthy sufficient to be eligible to earn a championship ring ought to Los Angeles find yourself successful the title. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith thinks that it’s a ridiculous notion.
“Are you kidding me?…The fact is that the Lakers are higher with out you than they had been with you.”
Simply because they’re eligible, although, doesn’t imply it’s a for positive factor. If the Lakers do occur to win the championship, they will flip down the thought of giving Westbrook and Beverley a hoop every. In the identical vein, the gamers can flip down the supply ought to the group prolong it.
It Has Occurred Earlier than…
It has occurred earlier than, most notably with Anderson Varejao and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The middle spent 12 years with the Cavs earlier than being traded throughout the 2016 season. He ultimately signed with the Golden State Warriors for the rest of the season, who wound up assembly Cleveland within the NBA Finals.
Did Anderson Varejão simply clinch a hoop?
He is the first participant to ever play for each Finals groups in the identical season. pic.twitter.com/7zoJFoxgUt
— ESPN (@espn) May 31, 2016
That historic collection noticed the Cavaliers come again from a 3-1 deficit and was one of the talked-about championships in league historical past. Varejao was on the shedding finish, however his former group supplied to ask him again to obtain his championship {hardware}. Varejao declined.
The Lakers nonetheless have loads of work to do earlier than that is even a risk. They’re presently entrenched in a collection with the defending champions, and would face an uphill battle to be able to win the NBA Championship. They’re presently the third group listed for one of the best title odds, coming in at +425 behind each the Nuggets (+400) and Celtics (+175).
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