The NBA in-season tournament proposes lucrative possibilities for players. While money is never the primary motivation for an athlete’s success or dedication, it sure helps in motivating the players to go the extra mile. Nonetheless, Los Angeles Lakers‘ head coach Darvin Ham seems to feel so. The Lakers started the season with a loss at the hands of the defending champion, the Denver Nuggets.

Despite a rough start, Los Angeles has found its footing lately in the Western Conference. Currently, the sixth seed in the west with a three-game win streak places the Lakers in an upward trajectory. However, Ham reveals that resurgence might be due to the extra cash the players are hoping to bag!

Darvin Ham reveals the real reason behind the Lakers’ hot streak

The newest attraction in the league is the in-season tournament. It has been formulated to re-energize players and fans alike through the regular season, it also has added cash prizes for the winners.

“That purse is pretty attractive,” said head coach Darvin Ham. He further added, “Guys like money. … Not like it, they love it. That incentive right there, it’s huge.” Simply reaching Vegas guarantees Lakers players a minimum of $100,000, distributed equally among players on the two losing teams in the December 7 semifinal games. Winners of the December 9 championship game earn a bonus of $500,000 each, while the runner-up receives $200,000 per player.

“I think the guys on the team really want that money,” Christian Wood affirmed. Furthermore, he stated, “So, definitely, playing harder. Paying attention to detail. Guys coming together.” Despite paying $168,238,712 in salaries, the Laker’s resurgence seems to be motivated by the extra purse in the in-season tournament.

Even their franchise Player  38-year-old LeBron James shows no signs of slowing down.

38 YO LeBron James breaks another record

After breaking the NBA scoring record last year, LeBron James continues to make history. In a recent Lakers match against the Utah Jazz, he became the first player ever to surpass 39,000 points in the NBA. James is not only excelling in scoring but also setting records in various aspects.

Read More: Can LeBron James Cross the 40,000 Mark Before the End of the Season?

He recently surpassed Clyde Drexler, securing the eighth spot on the all-time steals list. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the sole player to achieve a triple-double in his 21st season. Do you think the King will cross 40,000 points?

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

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