The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing their journey to making the NBA Finals and winning championship no. 18 in franchise history. Los Angeles handled the Memphis Grizzlies in six games and now they will take on the Golden State Warriors in round two.
This matchup between the Lakers and the Warriors — LeBron James vs Stephen Curry — is one of the most prolific second-round matchups in NBA history. The entire world will be watching this series, not just Lakers and Warriors fans.
It is a very exciting time to be a fan of the Lake Show. With today marking the start of this week’s news cycle, let’s dive into our Lakers news roundup.
Lakers news roundup:
- Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was nothing but complimentary when speaking about LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Kerr said, “The Lakers changed their team dramatically at the deadline. They’re excellent defensively, one of the all time greats in LeBron”.
- Draymond Green also shared love for LeBron and helped put into perspective just how special this series is between two all-time greats. Green called this series “epic” and stressed that NBA media and fans stop trying to turn the page on both of these teams and their all-time veterans to instead appreciate this moment for what it is.
- Dillon Brooks was fined $25,000 for ghosting the media after losing to the Lakers in round one. Brooks finally spoke to the media, saying that he did not regret his decision to trash-talk LeBron. Ironically enough, head coach Taylor Jenkins said that “self-created distractions” hurt the Grizzlies against the Lakers.
- Reports surfaced that the Lakers are disinterested in pursuing all-star Kyrie Irving this offseason after Irving showed up for Game 6 against the Grizzlies.
- During his media availability on Monday, LeBron also spread some love, saying that he has the utmost respect for Steph Curry for his on-court and off-court contributions.
Lakers’ LeBron James on his rivalry with Stephen Curry and his respect for him pic.twitter.com/JIAqlXi4ry
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 1, 2023
NBA news roundup:
- Joel Embiid’s knee injury appears to be more serious than originally expected as the superstar center has been listed as doubtful for Game 1 against the Boston Celtics.
- Jimmy Butler is considered a game-time decision for Game 2 against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. Butler injured his ankle in the Heat’s Game 1 win on Sunday.
- ESPN apologized on Monday for using stock footage of the Statue of Liberty that included the Twin Towers in the background. “We mistakenly used an old stock image and we apologize,” ESPN senior director of communications Ben Cafardo wrote in a statement.