The 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers could not have been among the finest groups in franchise historical past, however they have been a particular group that followers will all the time keep in mind. In truth, over the previous two years, many have missed this version of the Purple and Gold.
This group confronted many challenges from day one, beginning with LeBron James’ feedback in regards to the Hong Kong protests in October 2019, to the dying of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant just a few months later and the COVID-19 pandemic that suspended the NBA season. However Los Angeles remained centered all through all of it and received the world championship in October 2020 within the Walt Disney World Resort bubble.
A fan posted a video on X (previously Twitter) of ahead Jared Dudley hitting a three-pointer in transition to finish the third quarter of a recreation towards the Brooklyn Nets in January 2020. Within the video, Dudley confirmed numerous emotion after making the three-pointer, and the fan posted a message explaining that he missed that kind of play.
James commented saying he agreed.
That group was dismantled shortly after. The Lakers traded 3-and-D wing Danny Inexperienced and a first-round draft choose for Dennis Schroder a month after profitable all of it, then in August 2021, they made an enormous blunder by delivery Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and one other first-round choose for Russell Westbrook. In response to a number of studies, James was the impetus for the Lakers to make that deal as a substitute of going after DeMar DeRozan and/or Buddy Hield.
To today, they’re nonetheless paying the worth for giving up a few completely good belongings for a participant like Westbrook who by no means discovered his footing.
This text was initially revealed on LeBron Wire: LeBron James’ social media submit about being away from the Lakers in 2019-20
