The 2013 playoffs are still in their infancy so to speak – the eventual champions won’t be crowned until the middle of June. For the Los Angeles Lakers however, a strange and painful season is in the books The end might have come early but not surprisingly so – five key members of the roster were physically unable to play and still more played hurt. The team exit interviews are over and 15 players begin their summer vacations, almost all with no certainty of where (or if) they will ply their trade in the fall.
Ramona Shelburne from ESPN reflects on a season that fell far below expectations.
Here’s a gem from Brian Kamenetzky via Sulia, re: Darius Morris, the big picture and lessons learned from Kobe.
Speaking of Kobe, he got his stitches out on Tuesday. As he tweeted #progress.
From Mark Heisler and Sheridan Hoops, the Lakers’ summertime’s ain’t so easy.
According to Marc J. Spears at Yahoo, Kobe wants Dwight back. Dwight meanwhile, needs some time and space to consider the future.
Listening to Steve Nash tell it, when Dwight does make his choice it should be to stay in Los Angeles. Via Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times.
At Real GM, Jarrod Rudolph argues Howard’s choice isn’t just about where he plays next year, but about how good he wants to be.
If you can handle 50 signs of the Lakers’ apocalyptic doom, Michael C. Jones for the Yahoo network has them to offer.
More fun with numbers: 23 questions facing the Lakers this off-season from BK at Land O’ Lakers.
Sticking with this theme, Kurt Helin at Pro Basketball Talk gives us 5 things the Lakers should do on their summer vacation. Kurt also brings us the news that Kobe’s mom is auctioning off a bunch of memorabilia from his days at Lower Merion.
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The end of each NBA season is not necessarily finite – it varies according to organizations, standings and the finish line. It can be the afterglow of a championship or the stoic suffering of fans whose teams never quite get there. The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t have a real sense of continuity in recent years, at least not in the most typical of ways. The disappointment of the 2011 loss to the Mavericks in the second round quickly gave way to a league-wide obsession with the summer lockout. The loss to OKC in the 2012 second round was accompanied by a general sense of frustration, followed by understandable relief with the signing of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard.
Yes, it has been chronicled endlessly – every calamitous and sorrowful bend of the road. There is a numbness that follows. There is also a roster of players, some with contracts and some without. And despite every injury, every event, every wrong move, there are ingredients that remain. Some will be kept, some will be tossed aside, some will be added. The cooks in the kitchen have the summer to plan and make their stew. We will have the summer to look over their shoulders.
scotch69 says
with Jamison gone, add bench scoring to the long list the team needs to address
Kenny T says
Would have liked to see Jamison come back. He was an effective scorer, but, like most of the team, the injuries forced him to play too many minutes. That cut down his effectiveness.
LT mitchell says
– Wanting to continue with MDA for the sake of continuity is no different than wishing to have hemorrhoids for another year for the sake of continuity. It’s time to get that ghastly thing removed.
– I rarely doubted Kobe throughout his career, and as a result, I’ve rarely eaten crow, like so many others who have continued to doubt him year after year. I did, however, doubt that Kobe could dominate again after his knee issues in Phil’s final season, only to see him find the fountain of youth the past two seasons. Recovering from an achilles injury may be Kobe’s biggest challenge yet…..but I’ve learned my lesson….Never doubt the Mamba.
– It will be sad to see Pau traded, but I don’t see any other option to contend next season with so many holes at PG, SF, athleticism, outside shooting and the bench. If teams want the Lakers to take back bad contracts in a trade, than I think the Lakers should also attempt to force teams to take Nash’s contract. Nash would be a big draw in Toronto, the same team that was after him last summer. Just sayin.
– As a “fan”, I have a look of utter disgust on my face when Laker players make bad plays or miss shots. I often say mean and inappropriate things about them. My demeanor is full of nervous energy. I have no say when it comes to adjustments. Hmmmm, that sounds just like MDA, the same one that called Kobe a fan. The irony.
– What a great job Jerry West has done with those Warriors.
Robert says
LT mitchell: Once again you have made me laugh. As other have pointed out, MD’s fate could be in DH’s hands. However, I for one do not think so. I do not think DH will either endorse or condemn MD, so the ball will be back in the court of the FO. Another consideration is who would we replace him with? If the FO will not consider Phil, Shaw, or B Scott, then the field of qualified candidates who would be willing to take the job could be pretty thin.