The Los Angeles Dodgers and L.A. Lakers have long shared a friendly and intertwined relationship as two of the city’s favorite sports franchises, and that kicked into overdrive last year when each won a championship.
It was the second time the Dodgers and Lakers were crowned champions in the same year as they previously combined for the feat in 1988. However, it remained unique in its own right because the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic interrupted the NBA season and delayed the start of the MLB campaign. Thus, the two teams won their respective titles in the same month.
The Dodgers and Lakers went into the 2021 season as respective favorites to repeat, which the former is looking to accomplish in the next month-plus after a turbulent campaign. One day before the Lakers were scheduled to face the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wore a Nike Kobe 5 protro as a sign of support.
“This is my ode to the Lakers and their potential back-to-back run,” Roberts explained to Joe Davis and Eric Karros on the Fox broadcast. “I texted Coach Vogel and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to represent you guys [Saturday] and you guys get a win for us [Sunday].’
“If they go back-to-back, then we’ll follow suit.”
Unfortunately for Roberts, wearing signature shoes of the late Lakers legend didn’t bring a positive result for the Dodgers as Julio Urias labored through one of the worst starts of his career.
The Lakers also went on to lose Sunday afternoon and perhaps of greater concern, potentially Anthony Davis for the remainder of the series. Davis only played in the first half before suffering a left groin strain.
Lakers honor Lasorda
When Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda passed away in January, several teams and Los Angeles landmarks joined the Dodgers in celebrating his life.
The Lakers were part of that, as they hold a moment of silence before a home game and Staples Center turned their exterior lights blue.
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