Throughout NBA history, role players have been underappreciated, but they have been integral for teams that have won championships.
In the history of the Los Angeles Lakers, men such as Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher and Robert Horry didn’t get the billing of their more talented teammates, but their teams may not have won it all without them.
The current version of the Purple and Gold looks to be a legitimate championship contender, but there is a question of who will do the dirty work or step up when needed without stepping on the toes of LeBron James or Anthony Davis.
Gabe Vincent, an undrafted guard Los Angeles recently signed as a free agent, seems to be an excellent candidate based on how he helped the Miami Heat reach the 2023 NBA Finals. While on “The Old Man & The Three” podcast, he sounded like he’s willing and ready to do whatever it takes for his new team to win lots of games (h/t ClutchPoints).
"I've played almost every role, I feel like, in Miami… I've played a number of styles, so transition-wise, role-wise, it's going to be very similar fitting into whatever [the Lakers] need to win a championship."
— Gabe Vincent
(via @OldManAndThree)pic.twitter.com/iCQkqMnl7Y
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 17, 2023
Vincent, who went undrafted out of the University of California, Santa Barbara, has developed a reputation as a gritty defender and a timely 3-point shot maker. He has a chance to become an important and beloved Lakers role player, much like another former UCSB Gaucho — Brian Shaw, who won three straight world titles with L.A. in the early 2000s.
