It is axiomatic in the NBA that when a player goes up against his former team, especially in postseason play, he is more motivated than usual and tends to have a very good game.
Of course, some players, when faced with that situation, see it as just another game — or at least that’s what they will say publicly.
When the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in tournament on Tuesday, three of their players will be facing their former team: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt. All arrived in February’s blockbuster Russell Westbrook trade.
Each seems to be adopting a slightly different attitude about the upcoming contest.