With the newspaper on Monday everyone comes out winners, but the reality is inevitable to hide. The Los Angeles Lakers instead of adding with the new hires for the NBA 2020-21 ended up subtracting and, as if that were not enough, four of the players they discarded are still alive in the Playoffs.
The Lakers were surprised by the injuries of LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the Phoenix Suns did not let it pass with a first-round elimination by beating them 4-2. However, the legacy of the champion team in the 2019-20 NBA continues with four ex-Lakers players in the playoff semifinals.
With an injured Davis and the intermittence of Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell, the Lakers lacked power in the paint. Dwight Howard (Philadelphia 7ers) and JaVale McGee (Denver Nuggets), alternatives of the champion team that LeBron and company no longer had.
The 76ers face the Atlanta Hawks in the semifinals of the Playoffs and Howard averages 5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while McGee has 2 rebounds per game in two postseason games in which he has seen action with Denver. The Nuggets play Western Conference semifinal vs. Phoenix Suns.
Two players who had the Los Angeles Lakers and are still alive in the Playoffs
The list of the four players who discarded the Los Angeles Lakers and are still alive in the Playoffs is completed by Rajon Rondo (Los Angeles Clippers) and Danny Green (76ers).
The point guard averages 4.6 points and 4.3 assists per game in the postseason. His team plays against the Utah Jazz in one of the Western semi-finals; while the forward has an average per game of 8 units with an effectiveness of 38% in triples. (GG) (BOLAVIP)