Even as Kobe Bryant returns to action, trouble remains in the City of Angels.
I have been re-watching a lot of The Office lately, because A) it’s August, and B) I need something to cheer me up in between episodes of The Leftovers. One of my favorite episodes is “The Dundies,” where Michael Scott has the entire office meet at Chili’s for a company awards ceremony that no one wants to attend. To best sum up “The Dundies” would be as Pam Beesly explains:
You know what they say about a car wreck where it’s so awful you can’t look away? The Dundies are like a car wreck that you want to look away, but you have to stare at it because your boss is making you.
Do you know what this could also describe? The 2013-14 Los Angeles Lakers. Finishing 27-55 and last in the Pacific division, the Lakers were comprised of aging vets who were either hurt or didn’t want to be there, along with a core of young players on the fringes of the league hoping to capitalize on opportunities for playing time. This isn’t to say the Lakers’ roster was completely void of talent, but aside from the occasional theatric from Nick Young, the team was putrid to watch. The problem? They were shown on ESPN, ABC and TNT 25 times. Trying not to watch or hear about the Lakers last season was almost impossible since they were likely on national TV at least once a week.
That season is thankfully over. Unfortunately, the Lakers’ chances next season don’t look much better.
Coaching – 18/25
Mike D’Antoni stepped down April 30. It then took nearly three months before the team named his replacement, though the job had been rumored to be Byron Scott’s for almost a month prior to the official announcement. Scott was drafted by the Lakers in 1984 and played for them until 1993, winning three titles.
His first head-coaching job came in 2000 when he was hired by the New Jersey Nets. His four-year spell with the team was also his most successful, as he took the Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. After New Jersey fired him during the 2003-04 season, he was hired by the New Orleans Hornets the following season. His first three seasons with the team were a mess – much of it due to the team’s relocation to Oklahoma City following Hurricane Katrina – but the team made the playoffs each of the following two seasons. Most recently, Scott coached the Cavaliers, where he was fired after three seasons.
Scott comes with a ton of head-coaching experience. But with an overall record of 416-521, and having not taken a team to the playoffs since 2009, there is cause for concern. His coaching history suggests that, with a talented enough roster, Scott can lead a team to the playoffs – those New Jersey teams were loaded, and his playoff teams in New Orleans weren’t bad either – but he hasn’t been able to maximize the potential of a roster with glaring holes. Certainly that is no easy task, but considering the jobs Jeff Hornacek, Steve Clifford and Mike Budenholzer did last season, there is evidence that shows it is possible. Scott was supposed to lead Cleveland back to the playoffs, but the team’s progress stagnated.
The Lakers will have a slightly better roster this season (more on this later), but they still have a lot of weaknesses. Scott claims they will play defense, which in theory is great but will be more difficult in practice. If Kobe Bryant stays healthy, there is room for optimism, but at this point it is hard to see Scott getting the most out of the roster.
Free Agency & Trades – 19/25
The Lakers lost Pau Gasol, MarShon Brooks, Kent Bazemore, Kendall Marshall, Jodie Meeks and Jordan Farmar. Aside from Gasol, who was ready to leave, these players were replaceable. The team was gearing itself for the possibility of signing a big-name free agent and attempted to lure Carmelo Anthony and others. It struck out and instead had to plug holes, re-signing Xavier Henry, Jordan Hill, Ryan Kelly, Nick Young and Wesley Johnson, while signing Ed Davis and claiming Carlos Boozer off waivers. Additionally, the Lakers traded for Jeremy Lin.
Lin should turn out to be the best free-agent signing. He’s an exciting point guard, though he still struggles with defense and turnovers. Boozer comes cheaply, but his defense was so bad in Chicago that Thibodeau wouldn’t play him in the fourth quarter despite being the team’s best offensive big man. Nick Young will again provide the excitement, and Jordan Hill is a solid post player (though he comes expensive at $9 million per year).
The team also traded for the rights to Jordan Clarkson, who was drafted in the second round by the Wizards. Clarkson is a big guard at 6-5 who will start the season as the team’s third point guard (and become the backup once Nash is inevitably sidelined).
Free agency wasn’t a total loss for the team, but it has to be disappointed about not signing a top free agent and having to settle for short-term stop gaps.
Draft – 20/25
The team picked seventh and selected Julius Randle from Kentucky. Randle was one of the top prospects from the draft and has a ton of upside. He’s commonly compared to Zach Randolph, which, if he comes anywhere close to Z-Bo’s ability, would end up a fantastic pick. His foot injury is cause for concern, though it is reassuring he won’t need surgery. Barring continued complications, Randle should see plenty of playing time this season playing behind Boozer.
Current Player Core – 19/25
Kobe Bryant’s health is the big one here. He could make the Lakers much more competitive if his health holds up, but at this point it is unclear if it will given what’s transpired the past two seasons. Steve Nash will certainly help, but the prospect of the 40-year-old playing more than 40 games this season is being really optimistic. Unfortunately, a lineup of Lin, Bryant, Johnson, Boozer and Hill is nothing to get excited about. Randle and Young will be fun off the bench, but fun isn’t going to get this team to the playoffs. At this point, they are two or three starting caliber players away from being back in the playoff race.
Franchise Outlook – 76/100
It isn’t all bad news for the Lakers. They have Kobe Bryant back, and while his health isn’t 100-percent assured, there will be plenty of excitement for his return. Drafting Randle gives them a nice piece for the future, and they will have plenty of cap space again next summer. Given the team’s history, it will likely be able to attract a big-name free agent in the next year or two, so it is doubtful Los Angeles stays in the lottery for long. However, this year will be another tough one to watch.
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