Ex-Lakers in the 2022 playoffs

The Laker ship had sunk together with the one calling the shots and most of those on board are swimming on rough seas waiting to be picked up by passing ships.  For some, they bailed out before things got submerged.

They’re rolling on a cruise called the playoffs, some with important roles where LAL’s expensive and antiquated stars can only watch.  Here’s a list of them with their 3-game playoff stats.

Brandon Ingram (NOP) - he’s on his first playoff appearance with a team-leading 29.7 points.

Larry Nance, Jr. (NOP) - like Ingram, he’s on his sixth NBA season and is a valuable piece of the Pelican rotation with an average of 9.7ppg.

JaVale McGee (PHX) - as an able back-up to starting center DeAndre Ayton, he contributes 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in almost 14 minutes of action.

D’Angelo Russell (MIN) - the former 2nd overall pick starts the point for the Wolves (13.2ppg, 6.7apg).

Jordan Clarkson (UTA) - last season’s 6th Man of the Year awardee, he tallies 17.5 points per game.

Lonzo Ball (CHI) - he last played in mid-January prior to a season ending knee injury.  His career developed with the Bulls with a season average of 13ppg and 5apg.

Alex Caruso (CHI) - Dr. Jerry Buss could be squirming in his grave on why management gave up on the Bald Mamba.

Danny Green (PHI) - his 7ppg is not much but 33 minutes of playing time is focused on defense.

DeAndre Jordan (PHI) - has been a shadow of his early Clipper days and still has to see action for the Sixers in their series with Toronto.

Brook Lopez (MIL) - another player the Lakers should have not let go.  He starts at the middle for the Bucks and is aiming for his second consecutive NBA title.

Markieff Morris (MIA) - had seen minimal action for the Heat because of a neck injury from a Nikola Jokic shove.  On the hardcourt, he’s a valuable 3-and-D wing for Miami, or any other team.

Andre Drummond (BKN) - had a forgettable stint with the Lakers but as the Nets’ back-up center, he submits a decent 5 points a game and almost 4 rebounds.

As a team, this list is a complete frontline-heavy rotation. A starting unit of Ingram, Morris and Lopez up front with Russell and Clarkson manning the backcourt will be competitive.

Talking about Brooklyn that was swept by Boston, Ben Simmons is taking undue advantage of his paid time off.   People around him said that he had a sore back waking up one morning and can’t play.   Well, every morning when I get out of bed, my back is sore but off to work I go as I don’t have a 5-year $177.2 million guaranteed contract.  It’s no work, no pay for us ordinary humans, bad back or not.