As one of the biggest brands in the sport, it’s no surprise that the Los Angeles Lakers receive preferential treatment from the media. The Lakers, after all, attract more interest than any other team in the league.
But it’s kind of crazy to think about just how much coverage the 17x Champs get compared to their competitors.
In a recent chat with Hoops Hype, former Laker Alex Caruso publicly acknowledged that fact, professing something he has come to realize about the Lakeshow.
It’s apparent now – I didn’t realize this when I was on the Lakers – but social media shows all of the Lakers highlights. [Laughs] I didn’t think that was true until I got another team.
The Purple and Gold have a lot going for them. They have history, they have glamour, they have some of the best weather in the country. It’s no wonder why they get so much attention.
And for players that started their NBA journey with the franchise, it can be a rude awakening to be cut off from all of that.
Caruso is still adjusting to his new norm:
Q: What has been the biggest adjustment from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Chicago Bulls?
“It’s probably the weather, man. [Laughs] It just gets you. I know it was 80 degrees when we played against the Los Angeles Lakers but it was snowing in Chicago. So it’s a little different atmosphere. I’m from Texas. I lived in Oklahoma City when I was playing in the G League my first year. That was nothing like Chicago. But it’s something I’ll embrace with open arms and I’m happy to do it because I’m going to be here for a while. I’ve got some jackets. I don’t do too much anyway. I’m not going to try to be a hero and walk through the snow.”
Whether it’s the sunny days or the special media attention, being a Laker naturally comes with a lot of perks, and Caruso is one of the few to speak so openly about it in public.
But who knows, maybe if the Bulls make enough noise in the East this year, they could see similar levels of fame as the LeBron-led squad.
