Ex-Lakers Champion Embroiled in Ugly In-Game Fight Overseas

Hard to believe, but pretty much all the Lakers have to show for their massive signing of star forward LeBron James in 2018 is one championship. That’s nothing to sneeze at, of course, but the title came in 2020 while the NBA was playing in the Orlando bubble during the Covid-19 pandemic, a championship that still feels a bit hollow given the circumstances.

Shortly after that, the Lakers decided to tear up the roster, beginning with the departures of guys like Avery Bradley (who sat out of the bubble) and Danny Green. Also on the chopping block: starting center JaVale McGee, who teamed with Dwight Howard to for a solid 1-2 punch in the middle fo that team.

It could be argued that the Lakers have never really replaced that duo since. McGee bounced around after leaving the Lakers, playing with the Nuggets, Cavaliers, Suns, Mavericks and, finally, the Kings in 2023-24. After his stint in Sacramento, McGee could not drum up any NBA interest and moved on to play in Puerto Rico.

He is currently suiting up for Vaqueros de Bayamón, where he is teamed with ex-NBA players like Danilo Gallinari, Chris Duarte and Renaldo Balkman.

But on Friday, McGee drew attention for an ugly on-court incident.

As Clutch Points reported, McGee, “got into an altercation with Jonathan Rodríguez, a guard-forward for the Capitanes de Arecibo. The incident began when the two locked up and wrestled for position beneath the basket late in the second quarter. Despite giving up five inches in height to the 7-foot McGee, Rodríguez stood his ground and didn’t back down.”