Due to the Lakers’ extremely handicapped financial situation, most of the new players brought in were acquired more because of their cheap price tag than their ability to perform on the court. Everybody knows the Lakers’ front office is already looking ahead to next summer, when they will have more cap room than they will know what to do with. But this season, a lot of their success will be determined by how these new players – many of whom have been discarded by other teams in the past – fit in and contribute.
The Los Angeles Island of Misfit Toys.
4. Losing’s not all that bad! For a team like the Lakers, losing seasons aren’t exactly accepted. In fact, mutter the phrase “rebuilding year” around a Lakers devotee and you are likely to get something thrown in your face. That’s simply the precedent that has been set by the Lakers due to their continued success throughout their history. But in 2014, it is going to be a much different story.
So here’s something for you, Lakers fans, that you might not want to hear. But it’s the truth, I assure you.
Losing games, at least in this season, is good for the Lakers. Really.
The upcoming NBA draft is one of the deepest in recent memory – and also one of the few opportunities the Lakers will have to make a splash. If you recall, the last time they had a lottery pick, it turned into Andrew Bynum, which eventually led to two NBA championships, an All-Star season and Dwight Howard. That’s not terrible.
I’m not suggesting the Lakers tank this season. (Actually, I am absolutely suggesting the Lakers tank this season.) I am just reminding fans to be patient. It’s going to be a hard season for this team, even if everything works out perfectly, their ceiling is likely a sixth seed in the West. So why not suck it up, and suck it up? For the future success of the franchise, each loss this season is a good thing.
5. Mike D’Antoni’s coaching status. The final thing to watch for the upcoming season – or circus, if you prefer – is the status of D’Antoni. Now, Mike is in a difficult situation in Los Angeles in the sense that nearly the entire fan base has wanted him fired since the moment he was hired. For the most part, he has managed to keep all that nonsense at but it’s evident that it bothers him. So, with a season in which the team is likely to struggle on the horizon, the vitriol toward D’Antoni is only going to get worse and worse.
How will he be able to handle the pressure? And, will the team continue to stand by D’Antoni, even if the team does struggle? If you’ll recall, they fired Mike Brown just two weeks into the regular season last year, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to do it again, no matter what fans are hoping for. This is a far different team from the one a season ago, and the expectations are not nearly as high, meaning D’Antoni will have a longer leash.
The bottom line is, get used to seeing D’Antoni on the sidelines, Lakers fans. He’s probably not going anywhere – at least not this season. Whether you accept it or not, it is a rebuilding season for the Lakers, and they’re not about to pay a third coach to try to lead this random group of players to the Finals. The greatest coach in the world likely couldn’t do that, so they will stick with D’Antoni.
Now, will he be the coach on opening night of the 2014-15 season? Perhaps not. But for now, he’s not going anywhere.
So there you have it – five things to watch for this season from the Lakers. It is going to be a difficult season, but there is hope on the immediate horizon. This season will be more about the return of Bryant than anything else, and whether or not he will be a fundamental building block for the next two to three years. It may also be the final season of Gasol’s time with the Lakers, so make sure to cherish the moments, because he likely is on the way out – quite possibly by the trade deadline.
It’s a transition season for the Lakers, and at times won’t be pretty to watch. There won’t be a lot of tinsel or star power, and the Lakers will seem very, very ordinary. But remember, patience is key, and the team likely won’t be in this position for long.
Daniel Buerge is the former Editor-in-Chief of LakersNation.com. You can read his personal musings on The32Special.com or follow him on Twitter @DanielBuergeLA.