Around the NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers were one of the worst teams in the league. But thanks to some great moves by GM Rob Pelinka, the Lakers turned their season around.
Many even think that the Lakers may win the 2023 NBA title. Keeping that in mind, former Laker stars Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley want rings if that happens. NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith slammed the two for that.
“Hell no,” Smith said. “Can we stop? Are you kidding me? I mean, I can’t believe that question. Listen, I got mad love for Patrick Beverley. I’ve known him for years. I got a lot of love and affection for that brother. He did a good job for us last summer, to be quite honest with you. Russell Westbrook, I have mad respect for him. Future Hall of Famer. Never cheats the game with his effort. Always brings it. But the reality is that the Lakers are better without you than they were with you.”
.@stephenasmith on whether Westbrook and Beverley deserve a ring if the Lakers win the chip:
"Hell no. … The Lakers are better without you than they were with you." 😳 pic.twitter.com/s8m7RnLaq2
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 4, 2023
Since trading Beverley and Westbrook, the Lakers have gone 23-11, including the playoffs. Prior to the trade, the Purple and Gold were just 25-30. It’s obvious that the Lakers have improved a lot since their departure.
With that being said, many NBA fans still think that the Lakers should at least give a ring to Westbrook if they win the title this season. As for Patrick Beverley? The feeling is not the same.
The Lakers Are Currently In The Western Conference Semifinals
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the playoffs as massive underdogs after finishing the season as the seventh seed in the West after the play-in tournament.
Since then, the Lakers defeated the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs and are currently tied at 1-1 with the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals.
If they can eliminate the Warriors from the postseason, they will get one step closer to reaching the NBA Finals this season. To be honest, the current Lakers roster seems capable of doing so.
They are all set to welcome the Warriors at the Crypto.com Arena for Game 3 of the series and will hope to take the lead.
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