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As you’ve probably read by now, the Lakers are undefeated (4-0) when they wear their Black Mamba jerseys designed by the late Kobe Bryant, and there are many theories as to why.
It could just be a fluke, a statistical aberration. It could just be that the Lakers are a really good team, and have only lost four playoff games in 19 attempts so far. It could be a bit of both.
But that hasn’t stopped the team from offering more theories. Anthony Davis says that “the Lakers style is a little different every time we put those jerseys on.” Danny Green says that in addition to looking great, the special material Nike made these jerseys out of is more breathable and feels better too.
However, whatever the reason for their success on jerseys, the Lakers have decided to try and use their mystical powers to shut out the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Lakers were originally scheduled to wear these jerseys in a possible Game 7, but with a 3-1 lead over the Miami Heat, they are looking to channel their inner Black Mamba and go for the kill.
“Just playing in the Mamba jersey means, it’s humbling for us and it means a lot,” Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said. “We don’t want to lose to the Mamba jerseys, which we haven’t done yet, so we’re here to win the last game.”
The reason the Lakers don’t want to lose with the uniforms goes back to the Lakers’ continued quest to honor Bryant with the way they play, to embody the killer instinct and hard work that he always brought to the table.
“Means something. More than just a uniform. It represents an individual who gave the franchise 20 years of his blood, sweat and tears, and his dedication to his craft, both on and off the court, to make the franchise proud of him, and hopefully by upside down, “said LeBron James.” I think it’s cool when you know you’re wearing a uniform that a legend got their hands on. “
But the Lakers will need more than iconic jerseys to beat the Heat. Miami will still have Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler in the lineup, and while Goran Dragic’s return seems unlikely at this point, the Heat proved in Game 4 that they are still more than prepared to fight until their last breath, even if They do it now going behind 3-1.
“We have a chance. We still believe. They are discarding us. Everyone is doubting us. But as long as the people in the locker room and our entire coaching staff believe in us, that’s all that matters, ”Adebayo said in practice Thursday.
The good news for the Lakers is that taking out the Mamba Jerseys isn’t emblematic of the players feeling like they need an extra boost, even if those uniforms seem to have given them one during the playoffs so far. James said players didn’t ask to use them and he’s not sure whose idea was. As someone who has the best record in closing games (38-10) in NBA history, and a man who has won 16 of his last 17 clearance opportunities, you are ready to go regardless.
“I’ll wear any uniform, to be honest,” James said. “Just put me on the court.”
The job isn’t done, but with the star power of James and Davis combined with a little extra swag from the man-designed jerseys that popularized the above phrase in basketball, it could very soon be.
Notes and updates
- Nothing has changed for the Lakers on the injury front heading into this one:
Game 5 will begin at 6:00 pm PT on ABC. You can also sign up to watch the game on fuboTV here.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Stapler or Google Podcasts. You can follow Harrison on Twitter at @hmfaigen.
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