Rumors have been circulating that the Los Angeles Lakers have been practicing together and unsanctioned by the NBA. David Samson weighed in on the issue in his latest podcast and suggested that at least, league officials have to verify if the reports are true. If that is the case then the Lakers have gained an advantage over the competition.
It was clear that since the lockdown and shutdown ordered by the NBA in March, team practices are prohibited in line with the social distancing enforced by the government to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. As easing down of the lockdown measures started a few weeks back but the league has made clear that team practices are still not allowed.
Samson said the Lakers violated the rules as he commented on the reports that LeBron James and his teammates have been practicing in the home court owned by business executive Steve Jackson. The practice location, according to CBS Sports, is a near-replica of the Staples Center so it felt like home for the working out Lakers roster.
If proven that the Lakers are practicing as a team and their rivals do not have the same privilege, Samson said the LA squad is guilty of taking undue advantage. It's like the team, which is on a title run this season, took performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), said the former MLB club owner.
He added that it is certain James is on the lead on the matter, insisting that the superstar has the say on how Lakers will conduct their business.
Samson said the issue could be out of the radar soon as everyone seemed busy preparing for the NBA season restart. However, when the Lakers start winning games while the rest of the 22 teams competing for the title are mostly out of shape, the executives said there will be complaints to come out.
Meanwhile, the Lakers heading to the Orlando bubble games could be an incomplete roster. Dwight Howard and Avery Bradley are part of the group players wanting to boycott the resumes games, convinced that such an act will amplify their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
It would be unfortunate if that were the case, according to Danny Green, who insisted the Lakers need the two to increase the chance of capturing the 2020 NBA crown.
"I think it's just important that we're together ... Obviously, we're going to need Avery Bradley, we're going to need Dwight Howard to be playing for us to have a chance," the Lakers Daily reported Green as saying.
The Lakers star is underscoring the point that both Howard and Bradley are chief contributors to Los Angeles' cause. As the team's big man option, Howard mans the board and the patrols the paint efficiently while Bradley brings the ball and directs the play.
