The Memphis Grizzlies had talked a lot of trash leading up to their first-round series against the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers, but the Lakers mostly let their play do the talking during their six-game series win. However, once they had officially eliminated the Grizzlies, the Lakers decided to have some fun.
During their series-deciding Game 6 victory, Lakers players D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schröder were seen celebrating an Anthony Davis dunk by pointing exaggeratedly at Jaren Jackson Jr. on the ground, mimicking Shaq’s iconic posterization of Chris Dudley.
Lakers are in full troll mode after beating the Grizz 😅
(h/t @espn_macmahon) pic.twitter.com/aq9LhcFRGZ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 29, 2023
But things got even spicier after their Game 5 loss, as the Lakers had some fun with the traditional Memphis rallying cry/chant of “Whoop that Trick.” Rui Hachimura could be seen mouthing those words, while Russell hit “The Griddy” dance, which is typically done by Grizzlies star Ja Morant to celebrate success, and has been used to celebrate wins over the Lakers in the past. Russell danced next to his teammates lining the bench, including LeBron James, who was seen clapping along.
“I’m fine in the west.”
The Lakers had something to say about that 😤 pic.twitter.com/FXHEZfQND9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 29, 2023
After the game, Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported that the entire Lakers locker room could be heard chanting the 2005 rap song lyric “Whoop that trick! Whoop that trick! Whoop that trick!” as they celebrated their dominant win and punched their ticket to the next round. Even fans joined in on twitter and said- “Stay humble fellas on to the next💯” and “We really broke Memphis and own them”
While some may view the Lakers’ actions as unsportsmanlike, others see it as harmless fun and a way to add some excitement to the game. Regardless of one’s opinion, it’s clear that the Lakers are a confident and motivated team heading into their next round matchup.
Lakers’ LeBron James Leads Team to Second Round of NBA Playoffs
The LA Lakers have advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs after a convincing win against the Memphis Grizzlies. LeBron James led the Lakers with 22 points, five rebounds, and six assists while shooting efficiently from the field.
However, it was Anthony Davis who stole the show with his dominant presence on both ends of the floor, blocking shots and altering plays. Davis finished the game with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks.
On the other hand, the Grizzlies’ season has come to an end, and they will need to regroup after a disappointing performance against the Lakers. Despite being the second seed in the West, Memphis was simply outplayed by the Lakers throughout the series.
Injuries to Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke may have played a factor, but Dillon Brooks’ trash-talking became a nuisance for everyone. The problem with Brooks was that he did not play well offensively, while Ja Morant struggled to find his shooting rhythm after re-injuring his shooting hand.
Overall, the Lakers’ dominant performance in the first round of the playoffs has solidified their position as a top contender for the NBA championship. As for the Grizzlies, they will need to address their issues and come back stronger next season.
