When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, they’re a global brand that extends far past just the basketball universe.
The Lakers are one of the most popular teams across all sports thanks to their reputation for winning championships and the franchise’s penchant for fielding superstars that fans gravitate toward. Los Angeles has the fortune of having someone like Luka Doncic on the roster and all signs are pointing toward the superstar signing a long-term extension sooner rather than later.
While basketball continues to grow its presence internationally, soccer has had a foothold of the global market thanks to its year-round play and numerous stars and teams. For example, Paris Saint-Germain is a popular football club that plays in Ligue 1, the top division of French football.
Recently, PSG stars Nuno Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe visited the Lakers training facility where they got a chance to meet center Christian Koloko and legend Michael Cooper for a day shooting hoops and getting a competitive game of pig in, via the Lakers’ YouTube account:
The video opens with Mendes and Kimpembe shooting around at the practice facility before introducing each of the individuals making an appearance. Kimpembe and Mendes are featured first before it shifts to Koloko and Cooper who were on hand to greet the football stars.
After being welcomed with custom Lakers jerseys, Kimpembe and Mendes take turns feeding Koloko lobs but with headers and kicks instead of a traditional lob. Koloko looks impressed with the results and speaks to the two in French as it was his first language growing up. Kimpembe even gets Cooper involved, throwing him a pass that the Los Angeles legend takes for an easy layup.
The two then show off some of their soccer skills by kicking a football into a trash can before starting their game of pig. Mendes and Kimpembe struggle to make many shots outside of the paint, but Kimpembe eventually wins after converting a lefty layup.
The video ends with Kimpembe saying he knew he’d win, wrapping up a fun collaboration between of the biggest teams in sports. The Lakers are one of the most star-friendly franchises around, so hopefully Kimpembe and Mendes enjoyed their time in Los Angeles.
Luka Doncic has been active recruiter for Lakers
Luka Doncic may not have signed an extension yet, but he’s been doing his part to help the organization out. Doncic has been an active recruiter for the Lakers this offseason, reaching out to players like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to join him and help lead L.A. to another deep playoff run.
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