Snoop Dogg Reveals Lakers Rookie's New Nickname

The Los Angeles Lakers gained more momentum ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season with Thursday's 128-122 preseason win over the Phoenix Suns . Although the win was a team effort, most of the basketball world is talking about Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht's performance .

The former Tennessee product couldn't be stopped as he tied Anthony Davis with a team-high 35 points while adding seven rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist in 32 minutes off the bench.

Knecht's impressive showing has garnered attention throughout the NBA fandom, including when it comes to celebrity fans.

Lakers superfan and hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg appeared on Friday's episode of ESPN's "First Take" to share praise for Knecht. The 52-year-old was so impressed by Knecht's performance that he's already created a nickname for the 6-foot-6 rookie.

"(Knecht's) new name is 'Westside,'" Snoop announced on the show. "So 'Westside Knecht' put that money up. Please recognize game when it's in your face."

Knecht's new nickname is likely a reference to the hip-hop supergroup, Westside Connection . The Los Angeles-based trio composed of music legends Ice Cube, Mack 10 and WC produced two albums when they were active from 1995 to 2005.

The humor from the nickname comes from Knecht being the last person who would be associated with Westside Connection. He was born in North Dakota, which isn't exactly a hip-hop state, before going on to play high school and college basketball in Colorado and Tennessee, respectively.

Still, Knecht's impressive preseason performance was enough to earn the new moniker from none other than one of the biggest rappers of all time.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was even buying into Knecht's hype, stating that the Lakers haven't had a sniper like him in a long time. It got to the point where Smith compared the rookie's role to a certain position on a football team.

"I'm talking about a dude whose purpose is like a field-goal kicker," Smith said. "His job is to shoot. That's 'Westside Knecht.' (The Lakers) got that brother. I like him."

Although the Lakers had the ninth-best three-point percentage in 2023-24, they finished 24th in threes made and 28th in attempted three-pointers. With Knecht in the lineup and JJ Redick — a former three-point specialist — as the head coach, Los Angeles should be more productive on the perimeter this season.

Performing at a high level during the NBA preseason is one thing, so it remains to be seen if Knecht can make a similar impact during the regular season. Time will tell if he can take advantage of the type of matchups that are created playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Knecht has the opportunity for an encore performance when the Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors for their preseason finale on Friday night.

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