Chapter 170: You Can Always Trust CP3.
Before coming to the Grizzlies, Randolph had been labeled as a 'team poison,' and Han Sen was once described by LeBron's fans as a 'cancer' during his time with the Cavaliers.
Shaq really does have a knack for handing out nicknames.
Thanks to the outstanding performance of Han Sen and Randolph, the Grizzlies' 'Poison Duo' managed to keep pace with the Lakers during the starting lineup's minutes.
Han Sen was subbed out with three minutes left in the first quarter to rest, looking far more energetic than in their previous matchup.
Randolph's return has clearly made a big difference.
Moreover, this change had another effect: it extended Kobe's playing time, as he was forced to play the entire first quarter.
When looking at salary structures, the Grizzlies benefited from a 'rookie bonus.'
This season, Gay and Randolph are each making $15 million, while Marc and Conley are on deals under the new CBA with significant increases but lower starting salaries—$13 million and $8 million, respectively, for a total of $51 million for the four players.
In contrast, the Lakers had Kobe at $25 million, Pau Gasol at $18 million, Chris Paul at $16 million, and Okafor at $12 million, summing up to $71 million.
This shows that, while the Lakers may not be a superteam like the Heat, their payroll is just as top-heavy, leaving little room for a strong bench.
Although Dunleavy was a quality signing, he's not the type to create scoring opportunities on his own.