NBA wonders: The Lakers are eliminated but become the biggest winner? The semi-finals teams are hidden in the former Purple Gold player

Who would have thought that the most magical script in this year's NBA playoffs was written by the Los Angeles Lakers? When James and Doncic were eliminated in the first round, perhaps even they themselves did not expect that the Lakers' "champion code" was quietly spreading among the semi-finals - the core rotation of the four teams, Timberwolves, Thunder, Knicks and Pacers, were all hiding the old subordinates of the former Purple and Gold Army, which means that this year's championship is destined to be won by the Lakers' "no-staff player".

In the snow and ice of Minnesota, Randall is tearing down his opponent's defense with his average of 20+ per game. The No.7 pick in the 2014 Lakers selected, triggered a debate on whether to give up potential stocks when they left the team that year. Now he has returned with the All-Star halo and joined hands with Edwards to make the Timberwolves a favorite to win the championship after 20 years.

Caruso, who moved to Oklahoma City, is the "White Moonlight" that makes Lakers fans most reluctant. This grassroots hero who worked hard from a two-way contract is still James' right-hand man in the 2020 championship night. When management gave up renewing their contracts to save money, who would have thought that this defensive expert with messy hairstyle would transform into the league's top 3D puzzle in the Thunder? The iron gates he guards now are the important bargaining chips for the Youth Army to attack the championship.

Amid the cheers of Madison Square Garden in New York, Josh Hart is performing a real-life version of "The Sparrow Turns into a Phoenix". When "Tiantou" who was a Thick Brow trader was sent to the Pelicans in 2019, no one expected that this inconspicuous forward guard would evolve into an Iron Warrior who averaged 18+7 per game under Thibodeau. The double-gun of his backcourt with Brunson allows the Knicks to recreate the iron-blooded character of the 1990s.

And on Indiana's bench, Thomas Bryant was ready to go. This big man, who has twice put on a purple gold robe, just tasted the taste of a championship with the Nuggets last year. Now as the Pacers' inside rotation, his rich playoff experience is exactly the most needed stabilization needle for young teams.

Interestingly, the way these four Lakers' old players left the team can be called "scattered and full of stars" - Randle pursues a larger contract and leaves New Orleans, Hart becomes a victim of superstar trade, Caruso says goodbye in tears due to salary differences, and Tobu chooses to set out again after proving the value.

Now they stand on the stage of the division finals in different postures, perhaps just in line with the old saying: The NBA world has always met in mountains and rivers. With the sound of the division final drums, the "civil war" of the Lakers' old players has quietly begun.