(Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)
Other than an unlikely trip to the Western Conference Finals two years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers have been a borderline playoff team for most of LeBron James’ tenure in Southern California.
However, the bubble in Orlando was the perfect storm.
Anthony Davis managed to stay healthy, they had some solid role players, and LeBron James was as good as always.
That’s why it all came together for them to win the NBA Championship.
Unfortunately for them, it didn’t take long before the team broke up that championship roster.
And while they weren’t the best team in the league by any means, there has been a narrative about how they could’ve won again if they had stayed together.
At least, that’s how Dwight Howard feels.
The legendary big man called out Rob Pelinka for breaking up that championship roster.
“After we won, they started tweaking the roster. I’mma tell you who it was—Rob Pelinka, man. God, Rob, why did you do that to us, man?” Howard said.
Dwight Howard blames Rob Pelinka for breaking up the Lakers’ championship roster
“After we won, they started tweaking the roster. I’mma tell you who it was—Rob Pelinka, man. God, Rob, why did you do that to us, man? Rob, come on, man. I still love you, Rob, but dang, man. We… pic.twitter.com/9N4qcrfnrN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 26, 2024
Howard adds that they would’ve even been healthier next season, which sounds like a big stretch.
It’s hard to envision that roster being healthier than they were in the bubble when all they did was hoop, work out, and sleep.
The Lakers likely still regret low-balling Alex Caruso, a championship-caliber defensive player.
They also lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Howard, among others.
It’s never a wise decision to break up a championship-winning team.
Still, it’s not like we were talking about the 1986 Boston Celtics; their chances of getting back to the NBA Finals were slim at best.
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