There will be no repeat for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022, as they were humbled and humiliated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs.
Phoenix destroyed the Lakers in Game 6 at the Staples Center Thursday night to win the series 4 games to 2.
The Lakers looked old, slow, unmotivated and over-matched for all but about 3 quarters in the series.
But it’s not like there weren’t highlights for the Lakers.
One of the funniest moments of the NBA season came when Charles Barkley came up with a new nickname for Lakers big man Anthony Davis, the fragile power forward who was the biggest disappointment in the entire league this season because he’s about as durable as a candy cane umbrella in a hurricane.
Davis predictably got hurt in Game 4, spraining a groin which rendered him useless the rest of the series, and without his presence the Lakers never had a chance.
Barkley coined a name that will surely stick for Davis, calling him “Street Clothes” because he always seems to be out of uniform, cheering for his team with his mask on near the bench.
It was an equal parts funny and accurate moniker for a player Lakers fans have become annoyed by because of his frailty.
Then after the Lakers were eliminated, less than an hour after the game, LeBron James was asked about playing in the Olympics this summer. He’s well-rehearsed answer made it clear he’s more interested in promoting his new movie than trying to win another Gold Medal.
“I think I’m going to play for the ‘Tune Squad’ this summer instead of the Olympics. That’s what my focus is on. Trying to beat the ‘Monstars’ or the ‘Goon Squad.’ So, didn’t have much success versus the Suns, so now I am gearing my attention to the ‘Goon Squad’ here in July, in mid-July.
“So, I’m gonna let the ankle rest for about a month and then I’m going to gear up with Lola, Taz, Granny, Bugs and the rest of the crew. So hopefully I’ll see y’all at the match.”
The long-awaited movie Space Jame 2 movie comes out in July. LeBron seems to be constantly chasing Michael Jordan for the title of greatest NBA player ever, and how he’s trying to emulate MJ in another way be being part of the movie franchise that Michael made famous.
The one difference is the first Space Jam came out just weeks after Michael won another one of his six NBA Championships.
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