It was the game of the night (not at all), the meeting that could change everything in the standings (absolutely nothing), and the Lakers knew how to do well against a Thunder team that no longer even hides its intentions tanking now. Finally a win for LA, too bad it’s coming too late.
Parallel World, April 8, 2022. LeBron James is in civilian clothes on the sidelines at the Staples Center. Next to him, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, also off, share a few valves to pass the time between two encouragements for teammates. It must be said that the Lakers are at the top of the standings with 60 wins and only 20 losses and this match against the Thunder is the perfect opportunity to blow the magic trio of LA and warm up the second knives a little before the Playoffs. Stanley Johnson confirms his good dispositions, Dwight Howard plays big brother, Wenyen Gabriel celebrates his new contract with a solid performance. The Lakers are confident for the spring games, the rival Phoenix and the rest of the League have better watch out. Jokes about the Angelinos’ age and doing it with Brodie only lasted a while in LA Able to live without the ball and even plant a few banderillas from afar, the former marsupilami joined TGV LeBron and a Anthony Davis cleared of injuries and more dominant than ever. The Big 3 is running at full speed and the franchise dear to Jeanie Buss is ready to go all out to hang an eighteenth banner from the ceiling of the Staples Center. Sorry, from the Crypto.com Arena (yuck). A major accomplishment that would knock Boston off its feet but also further strengthen the legacy of a LeBron James, the League’s top scorer at 37 and more legendary than ever.
(Almost) real world, April 8, 2022. LeBron James is in civilian clothes at the edge of the field, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook are at his side checking their phones. The monobrow publishes yet another tweet to explain that the Lakers would have won the title without the injuries. He then turns to Brodie to find out what he is doing. The ringleader can’t help cracking a smile as he shows off the suite he just booked in Cancun. Jacuzzi in the room, private gym and unlimited cupcakes every morning for breakfast. The King is obliged to take back his two friends: there is a match to watch and the second knives do the job against the Thunder. Westbrook replies that even Frank Vogel is scratching a cover letter off the bench. The guru is already preparing his next move to Pôle Emploi after the early elimination of the Lakers. And then, how not to be focused against the terrifying team of OKC? 6 players in uniform, including one who spends the evening in foul trouble. Bad luck, it’s the only one with a reference chouille. The rest ? A two-way player, a player in an incubator, guys under contract for ten days, some of whom (hello Jaylen Hoard) who are able to pull off some very good numbers. So that’s the alignment of the planets needed to see LA win a game. We had to wait a little less than three weeks to taste this flavor again for the fans. Barely time to raise your arms to the sky that you already have to come down to earth, the victory will have been for nothing. One more game before the holidays and they will do a lot of people good in Los Angeles.
The victory against the Thunder could have been a dress rehearsal for the Lakers, but we will be happy to forget this game for the next 24 hours. Make way (soon) for the big construction site on the LA side, and it promises to be large.