Locked On Lakers podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. Hosts Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, who have covered the Purple and Gold since 2005 for media outlets including the LA Times, ESPN and The Athletic, offer traditional journalism, informal commentary, and offbeat humor to provide expert, local analysis. Locked On Lakers takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the Lakers locker room and all over the NBA. The Locked On Lakers podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
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episode 1471: The NBA Will Retire Bill Russell's #6. Should LeBron James Change His Number? Plus, Kyrie Tweets!
The NBA announced Thursday that Bill Russell, the larger-than-life icon who died last month at the age of 88, will be honored in a series of ways this season. First, his #6 will be retired leaguewide, though players (like LeBron James) who currently wear the number can keep it if they choose. Second, there will be jersey patches worn across the NBA, and every stadium will have a shamrock with a #6 inside, displayed next to the scorer's table.
It's that last part that has at least some Lakers fans cringing a little, even if they know it's the right thing to do. Is it ok to lean into the pettiness of the Lakers/Celtics rivalry here, and balk at the shamrock on a Lakers home floor? Might Russell himself understand where Lakers fans are coming from?
The bigger question: What does LeBron do? There is obviously an argument to be made that James should immediately give up his #6. Especially since he's worn 23 at different points in his career, anyway. On the other hand, if James, a person with deep respect for Russell and the history of the game, wanted to honor him by wearing it for another season, would that be ok? Would he catch flak for it? Ultimately, what does he do, here?
And if LeBron gives it up, can anyone else even kind of make the argument to keep their 6?
Finally, Kyrie Irving is Tweeting again, and while the content is undoubtedly insufferable, it also points to larger questions that the Lakers have to answer if they're going to sacrifice remaining assets to bring him to LA.. Basically every word out of his (social media) mouth is a reminder that he may not be rock-solid reliable in ways a team like the Lakers would want.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The NBA will honor Bill Russell in a variety of ways, and rightly so. But is it ok for Lakers fans to engage in a little bit of rivalry-based pettiness?
SEGMENT 2: Should LeBron give up #6?
SEGMENT 3: Kyrie Tweets. Should it induce anxiety, not just eye rolls?
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