The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament as they defeated the Indiana Pacers in the final courtesy of Austin Reaves’ 28-point heroics. His exceptional effort helped the Lakers outplay the Pacers 123-109 in the title clash.
After they prevailed over the Pacers in Las Vegas, Nevada, there was a lot of celebrations starting with the trophy handovers and champagne showers in the locker room. But since then, the dust has settled and the Lakers have now shifted their focus on the NBA Championship once again.
Some people feel that the In-Season tournament should be celebrated as much as the NBA Championship and the Lakers should have a trophy parade and also raise a banner to honour the team’s effort in the competition.
NBA Insider Shams Charania recently asked Reaves about the celebrations and the youngster feels that the Lakers are used to winning trophies and may not raise a banner for this. “The Lakers are so used to winning championships, like actual championships, I don’t think we’ll raise a banner but you know what it is to for anybody to win that tournament- that’s special thou,” said Reaves. “Regardless if we do or don’t, I will be happy for it. You know, like raise a real championship banner this year.”
The Lakers were keen to win the In-Season Tournament under the leadership of LeBron James. The younger players had great motivation to give their best in this competition because of its highly rewarding cash prize of $500,000 per player.
While it may not be a big deal for LeBron, who makes $47 million for the 2023-24 season, it can be life-changing for the other fringe players who aren’t making much in comparison to the stars. So it was a big deal for the younger players.
In an interview with Reaves, Michelle Beadle asked him when they would receive the award money and the player had no idea about it. “I don’t think- I honestly don’t know the answer to that question. Someone told me at the latest we get it by January 15. But I don’t know. I don’t know if anybody got any of the money yet,” answered Reaves
He then shared how the young Lakers were very motivated to win the title for the players who are not earning that much. “All the young guys were running around even before the game like, ‘Please win, please win.’, 2-ways were like ‘This is a $150,000 game for us, we need you to win.”
The Lakers will travel to Dallas to face the Mavericks back in the regular season on Wednesday.
