The Lakers Are The Inaugural In Season Tournament Champions And LeBron Ends The GOAT Debate
What a game! I know this falls upon deaf ears to most blog readers, but it's officially over. Two things have happened tonight in Vegas. The Lakers are the best team in the league until anyone can prove it otherwise in June, and LeBron has solidified his GOAT status by winning the first ever in-season tournament. Anyone who says the players didn't care about it either didn't watch, doesn't like basketball, or is just upset that the King has done it again.
I'm the premier Lakers fan in this office and if you ask me where this ranks amongst the 6 rings I've been able to witness in my (redacted) years of AI living, it's firmly 7th but what a win for the younger guys on the team. LeBron doesn't need an extra $500k or any other accolades, but he did it for the Max Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino. He averaged 27/7/7 in Year 21 on 60% shooting and 60% from 3 for the entire tournament. And don't get me started about Anthony Davis who is apparently a top 1 player all-time when there's an in-season tournament on the line. 40/20/5 in a Finals (yes) game, something Wilt only did twice as a Laker and he was playing against farmers.
Shoutout to Adam Silver for creating an actual tournament that means something and gives teams an incentive to play for in the middle of the regular season. Pray for the craps tables tonight and Zouk Nightclub because it's celebration time. Consider this a warning to the rest of the league.
P.S.
What can't this man do?