After stepping down as GM of the Nuggets, it didn’t take John Mollica long to establish a new rival for the 2021 season, that rival being the Philadelphia 76ers, which entering the season, was the only other franchise Mollica had played for in his 4-year career. In a draft where it seemed everybody was returning home to the franchises they started their careers with, John Mollica appeared to be the lone soul left stranded. What made it worse was, according to reports, 76ers GM Casey McClure had led Mollica to believe he would be returning to the city of Philadelphia only to trade him away to the Lakers at the last minute once he recognized an opportunity to bring Philly lifer Jeremy Gannon back to the City of Brotherly Love.

Something John Mollica and Michael Jordan have in common, other than their ability to win championships, is they both take these types of things very personally. Mollica was not happy with the Philadelphia front office, and he made it known. “Fuck you,” he texted GM Casey McClure according to a source close to the situation. To make things even juicier, the Lakers would face off against Philly in their opening game Monday night. Mollica would be able to hop right into his ‘revenge game’.

The game started heavily in Philly’s favor. After a rally speech by player coach Casey McClure, the 76ers jumped out to a 12-4 lead early. However, momentum suddenly shifted thanks especially to the Lakers’ three-point shooting. During the comeback, John Mollica gracefully swished a three-pointer from the top of the key, historically his favorite and most accurate spot on the court to shoot from. “That was beautiful!” exclaimed Brandon Colon, who was partaking in the night’s festivities as a fan at the time. The Lakers ended the game with 8 made three-pointers, compared to just 2 made three-pointers from the 76ers. Trevor Gilson accounted for 25 points & 4 threes, as Philly did not seem to have an answer for the perennial MVP candidate in the second half.

The Lakers would outscore the 76ers by 20 points over a period spanning both the first and second halves. John Mollica and former hated rival Christian Janeski would record their first win playing together. The two had formulated major beef just a season ago due to a questionable move Janeski made as GM of the Lakers at the time. Now, they are working together in an effort to win a championship. Some are already demanding a 30-for-30 film be made if the two of them pull it off together. “I already feel like a I deserve a 30-for-30,” responded the two-time champion and former GM of the Year John Mollica. The man may have a point, as he is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, player coach to ever play the game. In fact, it appears Mollica is having some difficulty adjusting to his new role where he is not GM of the team. “We came out of a huddle and I was like, ‘wait, I don’t run this team,’” Mollica joked to a sideline reporter following the game. However, GM Trevor Gilson appears to be happy with Mollica stepping in and giving his two cents. “It was needed,” Gilson commented when asked about Mollica’s coaching contributions, “The adjustments [Mollica] made were the difference in the second half.”

With the victory on opening day, this Lakers team picks up right where they left off last year when they made their magical playoff run. Los Angeles continues to prove the critics wrong time and time again.