Despite having bounced back in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers are in a much better position than they were a decade ago when they missed the postseason straight away.
Those Lakers teams still had Kobe Bryant on their team, but he was coming into his own after suffering some serious injuries including a torn Achilles.
Without a healthy Bryant, Los Angeles has been forced to rely on a number of young and inexperienced players to help them get through the year.
One of the forgotten names on the list is Darius Morris, who the team drafted 41st overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.
A point guard with speed and a bit of a shake, Morris showed flashes during his tenure with the purple and gold before going on to play for other teams in the league.
But tragically, the former Laker appears to have passed away, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“Four-year NBA veteran Darius Morris has passed away at the age of 33. Morris played for the Lakers, 76ers, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Nets from 2011-2015,” Charania reported.
Four-year NBA veteran Darius Morris has passed away at the age of 33. Morris played for the Lakers, 76ers, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Nets from 2011-2015.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 4, 2024
It is unclear what caused his death, but it is very sad news considering he was only 33 years old.
Morris may not have a long career in the league, but there are players who will definitely be hurt by this news.
Morris’ death is a reminder that there are things much bigger than basketball and should give people more reason to be kind and polite to others considering how fragile life is.
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