This season was set to be the year for the Purple and Gold. The Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff drought was to be no more.
Those 16 banners may even turn into 17. Why? They got LeBron James. The best player in the world. The King.
There were predictions of Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors, there was talk of a new big four in Hollywood.
The season starts just like that, Lakers are coming fourth in the West leading up to Christmas. They had the ninth-best defensive rating in December, everyone (bar rondo) was healthy and playing well with a bench that inserted energy in the forms of Lance Stephenson’s air guitar and Kentavious Caldwell Pope’s deadly three.
But then the Lakers fairytale season is finally brought back to reality when the Grinch finally steals the Lakers Christmas.
LeBron (groin) goes down against the Warriors on Christmas day and misses the next 17 games. The Lakers start to struggle, but it’s okay because James will come back, and everything will go back to normal. But then Lonzo Ball (ankle) goes down and gets shut down for the season.
LeBron comes back in February, but it isn’t the same. In March, Kyle Kuzma (back) goes down and is out for a few games and then Brandon Ingram (shoulder) goes down and gets shut down for the season. That’s three of their starting five out for the Lakers.
The current starting five for the Lakers includes: LeBron, KCP, who is 2-12 over his last five games from three, Mo Wanger, the rookie with 27 games under his belt, JaVale McGee, who is back to his Shaqtin ways and Rajon Rondo, who has reverted back to not being able to shoot.
The bench is no better with Jonathan Williams and Alex Caruso, who have both played nine whole games, Reggie Bullock, who never looked the same as he did in Detroit and Josh Hart, who is down in about every statistic from his rookie year.
But if that squad isn’t depleted enough, it gets worse. Lakers are now third worst in defensive rating and have four won of their last 15.
They have lost against nearly every lottery team in the NBA including the Phoenix Suns and an Anthony Davis-less Pelicans in this latest stretch, not to mention earlier losses to the Knicks, Hawks and Cleveland.
Suffice to say, even with LeBron back, the Lakers never really looked the same as they did before his Christmas injury.
Obviously, the injuries hurt the Lakers, but that’s not the sole reason for the Lakers doom and gloom. Here are some reasons why the Lakers look so terrible.
Defence is a huge issue. If you need evidence of their lack of defence, just look at Kyle Kuzma pushing James to defend against Denver earlier in March or any transition defensive play by the Lakers, where one opposing player will outrun three Lakers defenders. Some may argue that Lonzo is the difference, but he isn’t coming back any time soon.
The Anthony Davis saga, where the young core (and most of the team) were nearly traded for Davis, in a public debacle that broke the team and led to Lakers losing four of their five games leading up to the All-Star break.
The front office’s attempt at “surrounding LeBron with athletic talent”. Look Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka tried, but the team of mismatches did not work.
Michael Beasley was traded to the Clippers, Tyson Chandler has been injured and averages three points per game, Lance Stephenson is shooting 26 per cent over the past ten games and Rondo is perhaps the only shining light but doesn’t really play defence. Then there are the trades for Mike Muscala and Reggie Bullock.
Bullock is now on the bench, Muscala can’t hit a three (shooting at 27per cent from three-point range).
Also, they gave up Ivica Zubac, who in 20 minutes per game with the Los Angeles Clippers is scoring nine points per game, one block and seven rebounds and looked pretty good in the Lakers starting line up as a young developing player.
Luke Walton is almost certain to be fired and may be replaced by anyone from Tyronn Lue to Jason Kidd. There are issues with Walton’s rotations, constant speculations about his firing and the media and craziness that comes with having LeBron on your team (even worse than LaVar Ball) that are part of why he will not be head coach come next season.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Probably most worrying and one of the biggest reasons for the Lakers turmoil is that the Lakers are the worst in the league at Free throws at around 69 per cent and second worst in three-point percentage at 33.4 per cent.
The media world has been melting over the past few weeks about the Lakers but it’s officially time to move on.
The Lakers season is now looking like a hopeful top ten lottery pick, a free agent in the summer or the controversial Anthony Davis blockbuster trade.
Maybe LeBron James is no longer the greatest player in the world but he is still an offensive powerhouse, averaging a stellar 27 points per game and eight assists and rebounds per game, heck he even passed Michael Jordan for the fourth-highest scorer of all time, but it’s not enough.
The season for the Lakers is officially over. The LeBron dream is dead at least for this season.
Calling Bank Team
Roar Rookie
I agree the trades have not been great but I think Russell may not have grown into the player he is today without being traded to the Nets, but completely agree letting Randle (and Lopez) walk away and I can't even slightly understand the Zubac trade, all terrible front office decisions.
Mario C.
Guest
The front office is to blame. Magic & Pelinka are baffons. The first stupid thing they do is get rid of Russell for Lopez, how stupid was that, Russell now an all star, second biggest mistake letting letting Randall go for absolutely nothing. Third and maybe the biggest mistake letting Zubac go for NOTHING! So much for basketball IQ. Magic and Pelunka have to go not Walton. If Jeannie Bus loves the Lakers, please sell the team you and your Brothers are no Dr. Buss!
Jack Hartland
Roar Rookie
I do understand the argument of "who else is there realistically" besides the Lakers in terms of the AD trade. However, if I were the Pelicans, I wouldn't be too sure about committing to the Kuzma, Lonzo, Ingram and future picks offer. As I stated above Ingram is suffering from a rather severe injury and Lonzo only makes it out onto the court for 50% of the games per season. It is a difficult dilemma that New Orleans face, either take what's on the table (even if it isn't what they deem an equal, balanced trade) or lose him for nothing come the end of the 2019/20 season.
astro
Roar Rookie
Disagree with the above. I think the Lakers are the best placed team to trade for Davis. They're in tank-mode now, and will likely have a top 10 pick this year. That with a young package of Kuzma, Lonzo and Ingram and likely other future picks, will be hard for any team to top. Especially when you add that Davis isn't really interested in re-signing anywhere else. Boston won't give up Tatum if the suspect Davis wont re-sign...and there's a chance Kyrie leaves, in which case Boston would likely hold onto their young core and develop it. The Knicks don't have the pieces and want KD. The Clips have players, but few appealing assets in terms of a re-build and some guys would come with increased salary expectations. And they seem to be targeting Kawhi anyway. So who else is there realistically? And on the notion of trading Lebron...never ever going to happen. In terms of other free agents, who knows? Lebron and Davis would be an appealing combo for lots of guys...Butler, Harris (if Philly doesn't try to keep him), Redick, Rose, even guys like Ariza or Taj Gibson would have value as experienced role players.
astro
Roar Rookie
Genuine question...if the Lakers tank and land in the top 5, then make the Davis trade, and next year start a line up with Lebron, Davis, one of Kuz, Ball, Ingram (assuming the top5 pick goes to the Pels) and another potential 2019 free agent (eg. Redick, Dragic or even someone like Jimmy Butler), will you feel the same way? My guess is a lot of Laker fans are angry now, but there's every chance Lebron turns the Lakers into a team which has been terrible for years, into a championship contender within 2yrs of signing, and many who complain now will be cheering come 2020 playoffs...
Calling Bank Team
Roar Rookie
1. I agree with Barnsey, Lakers do not have the players package to get Davis, unless they magically get a top four lottery pick (which is very very unlikely) and can put that in their package with most of the young players. Even then, I'm not sure it is enough, especially when other teams have a much better package they can put together (like Boston). 2. In terms of other signings, I think Kyrie is a very slim chance (but even so may not be the best option for LA), but realistically Kemba Walker is the best option for the Lakers if all else fails. He can take over the game if need be, and is a very good point guard, despite his three point percentage going down over the past through season. He is an All Star after all. It seems very very unlikely KD, Klay and Kawhi are not signing with the Lakers.
Barnsey
Guest
The only piece I think they could trade would be lebron. And would they be worse of trading lebron for Davis? I don’t think so. Lebron will be 35 and Davis will be 27(I think) and in his prime. Davis is still a once a generation type player, and someone u will have for the best part of 10 years. I know as a lakers fan I have very little care factor for lebron being there. Other than that I can’t see any free agents going there. Kd won’t play with lebron, I’m not sure kyries personality is something we need on top of lebron. And klay will stay in Oakland
Barabbus
Guest
The lakers were never really going to challenge for the title this year. This lakers team isn’t even close to the Cavs team from last year and look how it ended for them. Meanwhile many other teams have gotten a lot better (OKC, Denver in west). Lakers are a long, long way from being close to challenging. And let’s be honest, while LeBron is still one of the best, he ain’t getting any younger. And there’s also the issue of players free agents (IE Durant) not wanting to play with him... But I’m a Celtics fan so it’s all good!
Jack Hartland
Roar Rookie
1. With the recent development of Brandon Ingram’s injury (deep vein thrombsis), the same injury that ultimately ended the career of Chris Bosh. Alongside Lonzo Ball’s struggle to be fit, he’s only played 97/164 games in his two seasons in the league. Do you think the Lakers have the pieces to trade for Anthony Davis at this point? I find it unlikely that New Orleans will be willing to take on two players with the injuries/injury tendency that Ingram and Ball carry, even if the lottery pick is included in the package. 2. With this free agency class being stacked with talent. Which player/s can you see realistically signing for the Laker?
Calling Bank Team
Roar Rookie
Lebron
Calling Bank Team
Roar Rookie
1. I agree KCP is hot and cold and deadly is an exaggeration, but he was useful coming off the bench earlier in the season (at least more so than he is now and shooting slightly better earlier as well). 2. I agree LeBron isn't taking the lead like he should but that only really started after he returned from his injury (lest we forget how good the Lakers looked in December) and perhaps next season he will finally take that role (but he will never be Kobe to the Lakers and should never try be that player).
Barnsey
Guest
1. Please don’t ever call kcp 3 point shot ‘deadly’ he is one of the most hot/cold shooters going around. More often than not cold. 2. I think u are really taking it easy on lebron. This is the self proclaimed goat who is showing as little care factor as anyone in the league. His defense is woeful. Not if a man that wants to be a leader and will his team to victory like greats of the past(mj Kobe Larry) And u can’t deny he had something to do with the attitude and downfall of the young core through the attempted Davis trade. He is a joke, and as a lakers fan it hurts me to say I couldn’t care about one of our players like I do lebron. It won’t happen but I’m like a lot of laker fans and hope he gets traded.