Los Angeles Lakers play out the string defeating the OKC Thunder

Apr 8, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylen Hoard (14) drives to the basket past Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylen Hoard (14) drives to the basket past Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) in the first half of the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers started fulfilling their 82-game obligations to the season ticket holders after being effectively eliminated from the postseason. While it is clear that Frank Vogel will be unceremoniously dismissed soon after the season finale against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, the only question left that really mattered was LeBron James returning to qualify for the scoring title.

Well, that question was answered early Friday afternoon.

For the record, this was the right move for LeBron James. Sure there will be plenty of fans sporting the “Kobe would have played” signs in the arenas and social media will have many trolls, but it would have looked so bad if this guy sat out the games the Lakers needed to keep the lights on for the playoffs only to return when it didn’t matter.

On Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s birthday when there was a celebration at halftime with a birthday cake, there was a basketball game that surrounded it. It was the final home game of the season and this is one of those games where the media really wonder if they are wrong for rolling their eyes when it comes to covering this team.

Then there’s Kendrick Perkins that comes along to make you realize that you are not crazy, but knows reality when it’s in front of you.

In one of the more weirder games that you may watch, the Los Angeles Lakers finally won a game 120-101 over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder played only six players and five of them made it to double figures led by Georgio Skalaitzakis who finished with 24 points. He was the last guy drafted in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Think that’s something? The Lakers played nine and eight of them got in double figures led by Stanley Johnson’s 21 points. The only player that didn’t pass 10 points was D.J. Augustin who finished with 7 points.

The game was full of fouls, missed shots, turnovers and sloppy play.

Think we’re kidding?

The final game is on Sunday on the road in Denver. After that, it’s on to the offseason where this team will be vastly different from this year. Not sure that the results will be different, but that remains to be seen.

After Sunday…the Lakers and Lake Show Life’s post-game coverage will be chanting 1-2-3 Cancun!