With the rebuilding process continuing for the Los Angeles Lakers, does ownership have the vision to elevate this team back to greatness?
There is a laundry list of needs the Los Angeles Lakers must address beyond upstairs management.
After going on their last 2-game winning streak to finish out the season, it may have cost the team an opportunity at an NBA Draft Lottery Pick. With their current record, the Lakers could draft no higher than 6th, which wouldn’t guarantee them a shot at drafting Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, or Joel Embiid. All can impact a franchise with a year or so, which is crucial to the Lakers and their fan base.
The front office must answer of a lot of questions including why the team had no contingency plan for the exit of Dwight Howard last season. Howard elected to sign with the Houston Rockets, and helped the team finish fourth in the NBA‘s Western Conference – where they’ll host the Portland Trailblazers.
Jabari Parker
Even if the team sees a healthy Kobe Bryant, it may not be enough tot compete in a loaded Western Conference where teams will only get better including Phoenix, and possibly Minnesota. Carmelo Anthony hasn’t made a decision yet on his future, more than likely he will not choose Los Angeles as his new destination.
The Lakers have to remain in chess mode in order to be ahead of the curve in order to lure big name free agents in 2015 like Kevin Love and Rajon Rondo, to name a couple.
The days of championships are behind them for now which won’t excite Bryant, who will be playing for individual accolades nonetheless.
How aggressive will the Lakers go after Pau Gasol in free agency? It appears that Gasol will no longer be in purple and gold next season. It will be interesting to see if they can give hope to Chris Kaman to convince him to stay in Los Angeles. Kaman has expressed frustration throughout the season with head coach Mike D’Antoni‘s system.
As the team from across the hall known as the Los Angeles Clippers continues to improve, how long will the fan base be willing to wait through the mediocrity to get back to glory?
With the Dodgers elevating with a winning franchise and excitement, and the Los Angeles Kings making the playoffs every season since 2011-12 season, it will not be long before Lakers fans get fed up and demand excellence again, like they were accustomed to when the late Dr. Jerry Buss ran the franchise.
Jim Buss did make a statement saying that if he couldn’t turn the team around within the next 3-4 years, he would give up the ranks to someone else.
Do the Lakers have that kind of time to rebuild? Does that mean that Jeanie Buss could take over, something Laker fans have been praying for since the death of Dr. Buss?
Will Phil Jackson be in the front office for the Lakers, since he only signed a 5-year deal with the New York Knicks?
I’m sure these questions will be answered in due time.
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