“Pulled the Rug Out From Underneath”: NBA Analyst Baffled How Lakers Lost Rajon Rondon and Dwight Howard
Follow Us
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and center Dwight Howard (39) celebrate their win after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Lakers have made some big moves in the off-season, but NBA Analyst Skip Bayless has found another reason to bash the purple and gold. He attacked the decision to let certain players go, while also under-selling their new acquisitions.
“You have lost your two key pieces who gave you some real mental toughness, who brought your she last year. Who brought you some grey area nastiness that the Lakers don’t have because they don’t have that dog in them.
“You lost Rondo… He’s out of the LA picture. You lost Dwight and I still don’t understand it. He even posted that he was going to stay with purple and gold, and five minutes later he’s deleting [the tweet] because they pulled the rug out from underneath him.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
"The Lakers have lost their 2 key pieces who gave them some real mental toughness, edge and nastiness that they don't have. You lost Rondo and Dwight. And you lost JaVale! When he blocked shots they stayed blocked."@RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/rainxzS0MS
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) November 23, 2020
He also attacked them for dealing Danny Green. “You don’t have Danny Green. Do not underestimate what a cerebral and tough defender he is. Wesley Matthews is a physical defender, but he does it with physicality, not with his mentality.”
The Lakers saw Green, Rondo, Howard, JaVale McGee, and Avery Bradley part ways with the team. Till now, new players include Montrezl Harrell, Wesley Matthews, Dennis Schroder, and Pau Gasol.
Lakers Free Agency: Succesful or not?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) sits on the court after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Skip Bayless has made a good point. However, he has sold his opinions in a hyperbolic way, making it look like LA has made bad moves. While the loss of players like Dwight and Rondo are massive, they aren’t always bad.
Lakers have gotten more sustainable replacements in Shroder and Harrell. Obviously, there is a trade-off in skill. But teams have to keep moving or they become stagnant.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
Billionaire Michael Jordan’s $61 Million Arrival in Talladega Saw Unusual Absence of Wife Yvette Prieto
April 22, 2024 03:36 PM EDT
Why Did the Washington Mystics Pass on Angel Reese? Insider Spills the Beans on Chicago Sky Star’s #6 Pick Snub
April 20, 2024 10:16 AM EDT
Even After Damian Lillard’s “Personal Issues” Admission, Charles Barkley Delivers Gut Punch to Giannis-Less Bucks
April 20, 2024 04:25 PM EDT
“Do White Girls Get Silk Presses?”: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s WNBA Draft Attires Get Judged by Notable Columnist
April 20, 2024 08:15 AM EDT
“Sh*tlock”: NBA Champion Stephen Jackson Blasts Controversial Reporter Jason Whitlock Over Dawn Staley Remarks
April 21, 2024 06:23 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
At the end of the day, LeBron James is the man at the helm, running this team. He makes the players around him better, and you can expect the current lineup to improve.
However, whether they actually do improve to the level that they successfully retain their championship is something we can only know whenever the season resumes.
Written by:
