My longform thoughts on what I believe the Lakers can and will be this year are pretty clear. If you don’t know them, click the link!
While that’s how I think things will go, though, that’s not why I watch. Whether my predictions or analysis holds up as the final word of truth isn’t why I run this site or why I make time for the Lakers. I love the game and I want to see the team I root for play it.
Underneath it all, too, I actually am optimistic about this team and where they are going. I believe the young players — especially Randle, Russell, and Clarkson — are going to be very good. I like the veterans brought in over the summer. And I still really enjoy watching Kobe Bryant. I like this team.
To be completely honest, I couldn’t say the same about last year’s group. Nothing against those guys — I think most of them are perfectly good players — but the entire season was marred by injury, discussions of lottery odds, #teamtank, the job Byron Scott was doing, and all the losing. Watching that team night in and night out became a chore.
This year, however, just feels different. Not because the specter of losing is completely gone or because another injury can’t happen, but because the direction of where they are going is now more clear. While there is a balancing act to manage, there are pieces in place that have the chance to dig in their roots and grow into the foundation of the next era.
All of this is to say, I am quite excited Lakers’ basketball is back. We may not get a huge jump in the standings or a significant increase in wins from the last two years. And, yes, there are still questions about next summer, free agency, and what might happen with Kobe. But, ultimately, none of those things are going to dampen my (initial) enthusiasm for this season.
There will be more ups and downs this year. Frustrations will follow. There will even probably be a point where I’ll look back at this specific post and wonder what the hell I was thinking when I decided to feel good about this year. But, as the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. And, after not seeing any real Lakers’ basketball since April, I am ready.
Lakers’ basketball is back. Thank goodness.
Nik Kannan says
It is a process & I am looking forward to watching our young guys grow as a team. Reminds me of a time around 96’… within 4 years we were back right on top. Lakers today, Lakers yesterday, Lakers forever!!!
Radius says
I am super excited about this year. So much intrigue. Is Clarkson good? Sophomore slump? Is this his peak as a player? Randle intrigues me so much! Is he another version of green? A bulkier and stronger LO? D’Angelo: was he worth the pick? will his speed, or lack of explosiveness, kill his ability to run the Lakers point?? Is Kobe going to be Kobe? Will he evolve to his current physical state? Will he jack up 30 shots like last year? Will we run the princeton all year? Can we Run and Gun (PLEASE!!!) and slow it down with Roy and Kobe when we need to? Is Luke Walton the next coach the Lakers fans will clamor for??? (I made that last one up, but he does know what its like to be a Laker).
Lets go! I have fond memories of 92-96 (after magic before shaq). Sedale became my favorite player (he got a nickname from Chick!!!); the happy surprise of how good Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones were. those non-championship years made the subsequent championships even better! Excited!!
david h says
Darius: if absence makes the heart go fonder; possible losing makes the mind go yonder? I say yes.
Hoping for a fonder to start the season. With each win this season; one down and thirty seven to go, lakers.
John L says
Although I completely agree with your analysis with the direction of the team talent wise, I wish I had your excitement for this season. As long as Byron Scott is coaching it really is difficult to be excited. They probably had the most talented team in Summer league but they looked terrible. Yes, Madsen coached and not B Scott. But Madsen still tried to implement a simplified version of B Scott’s system which resulted in a horrible summer league. B Scott wastes most of their training camp working on conditioning drills rather than an actual system that works. As a result, the team looks confused on both ends of the floor and most recently gave up more than 100 points to the reigning champs… in 3 quarters! Is it no surprise that even while coaching the Nets and Hornets he was fired after sub par starts. Like during then he wastes precious time on conditioning drills. Newsflash, gone are the days of only going 7 deep. Most teams will go 9 or 10 deep so you don’t need that type of conditioning. I loved B Scott when he was a player and he will forever be part of the Lakers fam. But like Magic, he has no business coaching the Lakers. I really hope he proves me wrong.
Todd says
Baxter Holmes Tweet:
Lakers starting five in their season opener vs Minnesota Timberwolves (on ESPN):
D’Angelo Russell
Jordan Clarkson
Kobe Bryant
Julius Randle
Roy Hibbert
Brendan says
I’m with you Darius. I don’t think it can be understated just how miserable last season was for most Lakers fans. The (justified) inclination to actively be rooting for your team to lose? That goes against everything that is sports. I remember when the Lakers went on that random three game winning streak last year in February, I was so angry I literally couldn’t sleep that Friday night (I think they had just beaten the Bucks). And towards the end of the season, I remember being upset at Jordan Clarkson winning games for the Lakers. Think about that.
Anyway, I agree with everything in your post and am looking forward to (once again) being happy about Lakers’ wins. And even if they lose, I can take solace in the fact that those losses aren’t in vein in that they will likely add to the development of our young guns. Sometimes it’s nice to have low expectations, especially where the focus on the season is hopefully on the progress of Clarkson, Randle, and Russell.
Vasheed says
I’m very excited by the talent on this years team. I’m not as excited by the Princeton. It seems to be more hindrance than help. Russell had said the other day that he was still struggling with the system.
On a bright side note, there is more money being bet on the Lakers to win the NBA finals than the Cavs. There is a lot of optimism out there about this team and I am hopeful the team will exceed the pundits expectations.
tankyou says
Marginally more excited than last year, because this year I’m basically “player watching” more than anything. I’m not too excited about the team at all, but only the few pieces mentioned in the article. But as a fan of the sport of basketball which to me trumps any attachment to the lakers franchise. Its highly unlikely I will ever love watching anyone play again as much as I did Magic Johnson. But sometimes guys give me glimmers that I enjoy.
I just want to see development, particularly for Randle, where most of my hopes lie for one of the three truly become a top 3 guys at their position. I’m not nearly as optimistic Russel/Clarkson become top 3 guys at their position, maybe top 15 guys down the road. But they don’t all need to be stars, but we definitely need one of them to become a special player–all around. There are plenty of one trick pony guys in the NBA who are especially great at one area of the game, but don’t impact it in various ways.
Guess we will get to see what’s up with Russel getting the nod tonight. Good, at this point trial by fire, they need a lot of playing time. They also need to be able to make lots of mistakes when nothing is really riding on it, no one expects this team to be anything but a work in progress that loses more often then it ever wins.
Anonymous says
On a bright side note, there is more money being bet on the Lakers to win the NBA finals than the Cavs. There is a lot of optimism out there about this team and I am hopeful the team will exceed the pundits expectations.
___
A fool and his money…
Clay Bertrand says
Agree Darius. Watching last season was more than a Chore. I’d find myself WANTING to go in for a root canal just to have some relief!!!
John L. , totally agree with your post.
Tankyou, TOTALLY agree with what you are saying too regarding “player watching.” Last season, I wanted to do some “player watching” too. Then Randle breaks his leg and that was it. So 14 minutes of player watching last year. I couldn’t stomach watching Jordan Hill and Boozer etc. play like crap AND NOT BE IN OUR LONG TERM PLANS at the same time. There was literally NOTHING to root for.
Brendan, the tortured feeling of rooting for losses and being flat out pissed at wins had me in the BIZZARO world. Glad we ain’t there anymore!!! (yet)