Lakers respond to criticism of NBA Cup banner

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NBA - along with the Boston Celtics, they are the two teams that have won the league the most times with 17 titles each. Earlier this month, the Lakers won the inaugural In-Season Tournament, defeating the Pacers 123-109 in the final held in Las Vegas.

The new tournament will be held at the beginning of each season from now on, which prompted the Lakers to celebrate their NBA Cup triumph by hanging a special banner up from the Crypto.com Arena ceiling - a very different one to the 17 banners that hang from the rafters at their home to commemorate each league title won between 1949 and 2020. However, the decision has been criticized by many experts and former players.

An old video even resurfaced last week of Kobe Bryant saying that the Lakers only hang NBA championship banners and nothing else. Lakers coach Darwin Ham, was asked about the controversy and responded prior to Monday night’s game against the New York Knicks.

Ham sees the positives

“I think it’s great,” Ham enthused. “We talked about it before we played that championship game. To be able to be first at something… this tournament is not going anywhere. I think it’s only gonna get better once they go back and look at what went well and some things they should change or enhance even more. One thing that’s a fact is that it was great for the fans. It’s gonna be here, so it’s going to be a part of the fabric of the NBA, which is a great thing. So to be the first team to do it, I think it’s awesome. That cup… it’s a big shot in the arm for your group, for your franchise”.

Knicks defeat

The Lakers coach watched his team slump to a 114-109 loss to the Knicks but doesn’t believe that the In-Season Tournament was a factor. “I’m not one to use excuses,” he told reporters after the game. “I thought the way we played during that time was great. We have some unfortunate tweaks here and there with guys being out with unfortunate sickness or whatever. But we knew the games were interwoven. Las Vegas wasn’t a long flight for us, but it’s just obviously being within your normal schedule, it’s going to have an effect, be it positive or negative. I thought it was more positive than negative for sure. But that said, there’s a travel schedule. Leaving Vegas Sunday, coming back to L.A. getting ready for another long trip, taking back off Monday, getting back here. All of that. It just means one thing, nobody’s going to feel sorry for you.”