Los Angeles Lakers: 5 biggest disappointments from 2017-18 NBA season
By Simon Smith
In an otherwise promising season, here are the five biggest disappointments from the 2017-18 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers made significant strides over the course of the 2017-18 NBA season.
After winning 26 games in their previous season, the Lakers ramped it up to 35 wins through a combination of new faces and a continued improvement of their existing roster. Despite possessing such a young roster, finishing 12th in league in defensive rating at 105.6 was the most significant development of the season, considering they finished dead last the previous season in this department.
Furthermore, the team had to deal with the distractions associated with a significant midseason trade, whereby popular young players in Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. were dealt away in exchange for point guard Isaiah Thomas.
While a 35-47 record to finish 11th in the Western Conference is an improvement, ultimately making the playoffs and having success in the postseason is what every franchise strives for — especially the Lakers and their proud history of success.
Rob Pelinka and Magic really challenged the young Lakers to treat these next few months as their own playoffs. This is when the league’s best players are getting better in the playoffs. ‘What are you going to do?’, they asked. They’re looking for aspiration to greatness.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 13, 2018
With this in mind, here are the five biggest disappointments from the 2017-18 season.