NBA: 30 Storylines Driving The 2015-16 Season
Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers – On the Cusp of Something
I thought about ranting about the Lakers the same way I did with the Knicks, but then I took a look up and down this roster. I’m not going to say that their current roster can be a playoff contender, because quite frankly I don’t think they have it in them. However, they’re just one big move away from an entirely new direction and future.
They actually have some solid young talent in the Staples Center this season. Jordan Clarkson made sure the league knew he was something special last season when many eyes weren’t fixed on him from the jump. D’Angelo Russell was the 2nd overall selection in June and is being billed as the future of a franchise with a storied past. We didn’t even get to see Julius Randle in his rookie season, in his very first game he was sidelined with injury.
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They veteran role players are there. Guys like Nick Young, Lou Williams, Brandon Bass, and Roy Hibbert are destined to be contributors on a legitimate title threat. Plus you have the immortal Kobe Bryant, who will find new ways to awe us night after night regardless of how many ill-advised shots he has to put up to do it.
If the Lakers can acquire the right big name player either mid-season via trade, or next summer in free agency, they’re instant threats to win the Western Conference. On the flip side though, a decision by Kobe Bryant to call it quits after this season or the next would mean an opportunity for the Lakers to start from scratch and possibly build even further through the draft.
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