(Ep022) How Metta World Peace and Steve Blake Christened Me Into the Lakers Family on the Celtics Leprechaun

Written By Phil White

Basketball Strong Podcast co-host Tim DiFrancesco (TD) started his pro basketball career with the Bakersfield Jam in the NBA D-League. He was then recruited to become the strength and conditioning coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent six seasons, including Kobe Bryant’s final four years in the league. 

Even when the ink is dry on someone’s new contract, they don’t become a true part of their new team until the players fully embrace them. In this episode, TD tells the hilarious story of how this happened with the Lakers squad before a game with their arch-rivals, the Boston Celtics.   

Listen up as TD shares how: 

  • He grew up idolizing Larry Bird and the Celtics

  • Gary Vitti recruited him for the Lakers 

  • Mitch Kupchak taught a valuable lesson about the Celtics-Lakers rivalry

  • Metta World Peace and Steve Blake planned his initiation into the Lakers family

  • Metta’s lateness led to an unusual ceremony at half court on the Celtics’ iconic leprechaun 

Stay tuned to the Basketball Strong Podcast for more of TD’s NBA and D-League stories, and see more on his Instagram feed. 

Phil White
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(Ep021) Comparing LeBron James and Evan Mobley’s Ankle Sprains & What They Mean for the Lakers and Cavs’ Seasons