So as the Lakers open their NBA Cup title defense Friday in San Antonio with virtually the same roster as a year ago, it's more than fair to wonder what, if anything, this stretch of games means to them. Guard Austin Reaves, who starred in the NBA Cup final a year ago despite an illness, agrees with Redick. Actually, the prize pool ticked up slightly with all players on the winning team collecting $514,970. "We know it kind of was the hype around us last year, but we're approaching each game — regular-season game or Cup game — as the same," the Lakers big man said. "I don't think just because it's a Cup game that we should change how we approach it.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 15, 2024 05:07 UTC