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On an episode of “Inside the NBA,” Shaquille O’Neal, a legend of the Los Angeles Lakers, defended his old team for flying the banners of their in-season tournament and championship simultaneously. In the midst of the Lakers Nation’s never-ending criticism, O’Neal clarified why the IST banner isn’t a trophy on par with the Larry O’Brien.
The actual banner is a specific shade of blue. You can consider this an adornment. Since it differs visually from other banners, we can safely call it ornamentation rather than a banner.
Nobody in NBA history understands what it’s like to win more than the Lakers, who have won 17 titles. However, spectators were let down by the Lakers’ overemphasis on the event, particularly because it might have hindered their performance during the regular season. Fans shouldn’t assume the Lakers are happy with their season-ending performance just because the banner is up. The season has only just started, and the focus has shifted to getting the squad ready for a real playoff run this spring.
The Lakers: Should They Fly the IST Banner?
The in-season championship has sparked a fierce debate among Lakers Nation. Though they were the first to do so, the Lakers were cruelly mocked for their celebrations of the historic win. The Lakers’ decision to hoist the banner made them the league’s laughingstock, and fans currently don’t give the in-season tournament much credence.
Some Lakers supporters were ashamed of their team for throwing such a lavish party for a tournament that ultimately didn’t matter.
Naturally, there are also many who hold the other view. The Lakers became the first team in tournament history to win the title, so whether you like it or not, they accomplished something.
The in-season tournament will take some time for everyone to adjust to, but this discussion will certainly go on for months—if not years—to come. Eventually, after a few more in-season tournaments, fans will have a clearer picture of how it stacks up against other team awards. But for the time being, the Larry O’Brien trophy stands as the pinnacle of achievement, and the Lakers are making every effort to win it back after coming so close last season.
Lakers Seek 18th NBA Championship
If they can win the Finals again, it will be the first time since 2020, and everyone in Lakerland will be forgiven. The Lakers were unstoppable during the in-season tournament, particularly in the last games played in Sin City. The squad, however, has changed drastically since the tournament. Including a humiliating loss to the 3-20 Spurs, their record in that span is a dismal 1-3.
The Lakers are still optimistic about their playoff chances as we head into Christmas, but they know it will be more difficult than ever to win the West. There is little room for mistake for the Lakers as they compete for the top five seeds in the West with the Timberwolves, Kings, Nuggets, Mavericks, and Thunder. It will require a total and unified effort from every member of the team to succeed.
