Jarred Vanderbilt, a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, was left in disbelief after LeBron James and Anthony Davis mentioned him during their post-game presser following their Game 6 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
The two superstars were asked about the Lakers supposedly “playing with house money” in terms of exceeding people’s expectations this season. However, both LeBron and AD were quick to dismiss this notion and instead quoted Vanderbilt’s statement.
Nahhhhhhhh😂😂 https://t.co/vlNfSMuOQj
— Jarred Vanderbilt (@JVando) May 13, 2023
Vanderbilt, who caught wind of the interview, took to Twitter to express his amusement at the fact that both LeBron and AD impersonated him simultaneously during their response. While the exchange was entertaining, the message behind it was serious.
After their surprising victory over the defending champions, some people might argue that the Lakers have already surpassed expectations this season. However, LeBron, AD, and the rest of the team are not satisfied with just making it this far.
While it’s exciting that the Lakers have secured their spot in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, the team understands that their job is far from over. The entire organization shares the same mindset, knowing that there is still a lot of work to be done. This determination to continue pushing forward is what has brought the Lakers this far, and Vanderbilt is just one member of the team who fully believes that they can achieve even more.
Overall, the Lakers’ success this season has been a team effort, and the mention of Vanderbilt during the post-game presser only highlights the close-knit bond between the players. With the Western Conference Finals now within reach, the Lakers are focused on the task at hand and are determined to prove that they are capable of achieving even greater things.
Lakers eliminate Warriors, advance to Western Conference Finals
The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals after a dominant 122-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of their playoff series. Anthony Davis, who had been questionable due to a head injury, played a huge role in the win with his 17 points and 20 rebounds, while LeBron James scored 30 points and added nine rebounds.
The Lakers got off to a fast start behind their aggressive offense and stout defense, taking a 17-point lead early in the game. However, the Warriors responded with a run led by Steph Curry to cut the lead to just five by the end of the first quarter.
Despite the Warriors’ efforts, the Lakers remained in control, with guard Austin Reaves contributing five consecutive points to keep the lead in double digits. James then took over in the third quarter, scoring multiple layups to extend the Lakers’ lead back to 17.
While Dennis Schröder was ejected from the game after receiving his second technical, Lonnie Walker IV came in and made key shots to help the Lakers maintain their lead. James continued his dominance in the fourth quarter, securing the victory and sending the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals.
This win not only preserved the Lakers’ undefeated home record this postseason, but also marked the first time the trio of Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green failed to win a series since 2014. The Lakers will now face the Denver Nuggets in the next round, with the team focused on the task ahead and the ultimate goal of winning a championship.
