As it’s Groundhog Day, we’ll all no doubt revisit the classic Bill Murray film named after today’s holiday. It’s about a weatherman who’s forced to relive the same day over and over and over again until he finally gets it “right.” Get ready L.A. Lakers fans, because that’s what’s ahead for you- unfortunately.
There’s going to be a lot of losing this year, and next year, and probably the year after that. It’s still “tear down” mode right now. The Lakers “rebuilding” period probably won’t arrive for awhile yet.
This year is sadly mostly about saying goodbye to Kobe. The Lake Show does have a young nucleus in place, but they’re not looking promising right now. The Lakers are currently the worst team in the Western Conference, the second worst in the NBA and only marginally better than the Philadelphia 76ers. L.A. is 9-41, Philly is 7-41.
Even in lean years (this isn’t just lean, this is Kate Moss on ephedra), the Lakers will always be on national television. That’s because they’re right there with the Boston Celtics when it comes to being the NBA’s biggest brand. You can flip coins on who’s 1A and 1B at a given time.
Constant national attention means constant national scrutiny. NBA on TNT Analyst, and no stranger to big time hoops in Los Angeles Reggie Miller on the young nucleus of the Lakers:
“This offseason will be big for them. [D’Angelo] Russell, [Julius] Randle, Anthony Brown, [Larry] Nance, Jr…these guys really have to stay in the gym, go to Summer League and work on their game. There are so many holes. All these young players can get better. They need to take this job seriously if they want to get better.”
That quote above right there, that’s as close to “very very awful” or “suck” as you’ll ever hear get from a big time national broadcaster.
Well, Charles Barkley will say terrible, awful, suck and a lot more, but he’s a rare breed. I’m not really a fan of Miller’s and I’ve pointed out his foibles many a time. However, he’s right about the Lakers core, and he’s right about D’Angelo Russell:
“He’s too lazy with his passes. At the professional level, you have to be so careful with the basketball.”
I always felt Russell’s draft stock was a little overvalued. I didn’t agree with that selection at all. The Lakers had it all set to go and select Jahlil Okafor. Even Magic Johnson endorsed that. That’s the direction I would have gone if I were the decision maker in the Lakers front office.
While Miller seems to agree with me that the current team is a mess, and it’s going to be awhile before they get back on track, he does see a lot of good things in Larry Nance, Jr.
“Nance Jr. might be the best young player on this Lakers team going forward,” said Miller.
“I want to see what he is like in 6-7 years…we already know he’s a high energy type player.”
He is a good building block to start with. Nance definitely recovered from his Twitter snafu regarding Kobe a few years ago. As for the Lakers in general, recovery will happen, but it will come slowly.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous television and radio talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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