Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Reasons To Be Excited
Los Angeles Lakers fans will miss Kobe Bryant, and rightfully so. But now is the time to start getting excited about the future of this franchise.
The Los Angeles Lakers just posted their worst regular season record in franchise history at 17-65. Future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant is retired.
The Lakers last tasted championship success in 2010, the franchise’s 16th NBA title. Since then a combination of factors has weighed against them in the quest to return to greatness. Following the departure of Phil Jackson, the Lakers saw their Chris Paul trade vetoed by NBA commissioner David Stern and responded with the acquisitions of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard.
Away from the magicians otherwise known as the Phoenix Suns medical staff, Nash’s back started to betray him. Howard’s body seemed to be getting the better of him too, as he not only missed playing time but also some of his trademark explosiveness around the rim.
The Lakers front office, in the wake of losing the legendary Dr.Jerry Buss in 2013, also made some questionable coaching acquisitions. There was the hiring of Mike Brown followed by Mike D’Antoni, two coaches with polar opposite styles, asked to coach an aging roster of players dealing with injuries.
Following this, Lakers fans had to deal with the mortality of iron-man Kobe Bryant, the departure of Howard and Gasol, followed by the retirement of Nash. The Lakers have also looked vulnerable during their free agent pitches in recent years, most notably last summer with LaMarcus Aldridge (per Mike Bresnahan of the L.A.Times):
LaMarcus Aldridge will not be joining the Lakers, The Times has learned. They were a 50-50 choice but he disliked bball part of presentation
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2015
So, after all of this turmoil, why should Lakers fans be optimistic right now? Here are five reasons why there should be more excitement and anticipation in Los Angeles than any time over the last two years.
Next: New Head Coach