What's Wrong With the Lakers?

The Lakers, one of the most storied franchises in the history of professional sports, is in some serious trouble.

Points:

I'll be straightforward with the audience....I'm a die hard Phoenix Suns fan and have been ever since I was ten years old (in the Barkley era). I've managed to see my team mangle and be completely dismantled by the L.A. Lakers throughout my lifetime, but for some reason, the former (mangling) has been happening to the Lakers more so than ever before. A team getting hammered by another team with the league MVP on it is not anything new in the NBA, but it must be said that teams in the biggest markets in the country rarely see the type of futility and bad decisions that have marred some of Kobe's most prime years in Los Angeles. After having attended a Lakers game with my best friend back on Easter I realized that compared to even a great team like the Suns, Los Angeles fans are treated far better, the team gets a million times more exposure, and are continually expected to be at the top of the league, but just simply haven't. There are a ton of reasons why this may be the case. The first starts at the front office. You do not trade Shaquille O'Neal even if it's for two American hostages. Two teams have done that and two teams have paid the price for years. Orlando is still recovering and Los Angeles is suffering the same fate. Bad personnel moves in a sport like basketball (where a highly specialized skill set is needed) can completely sink a team especially if the chemistry isn't there. Kwame Brown is easily exposed even by marginal defensive teams like the Suns and if a team is getting shut down inside, they will have NO SHOT AT A TITLE. Another problem is that the team lacks a true MVP. Kobe, I'm sorry, but you're not yet MVP material. You NEED an MVP to be on your team in order to turn you from good to great. You can score 80 points on a whim, but the long road to the playoffs needs someone who can change the game with a flick of their wrist, and you're not that guy! Here’s another Kobe truth, his best years are slowly getting behind him. To all of the Lakers fans who feel like Kobe is going to virtually play forever here is a quick reality check. Kobe has been in the league for 11 years, played through three world championships, all-star games, pre-season, logged 915 games, over 3,000 minutes throughout 2006-2007, and dealt NBA travel all while missing about 9-10 games per year on average. There’s a ton of miles on those legs. He’s not your average 29 year old, he’s got the body of a 36 year old. His career is winding down the time is now to get things done.

Ways Lakers can get better
The first thing the Lakers need to go is get rid of their General Manager. He’s the guy that traded away Shaquille O’Neal which would get you killed in some third world countries. All he got was spare parts and washed up “stars” (including Lamar Odom) none of which have contributed significantly. Then he goes into drafting Javaris Crittendon. A guy that averaged 14 points a game for a mid-level ACC team, Georgia Tech. What is this guy going to bring to the table? Sandwiches for Kobe? That’s the extent of playing time he’s going to get playing behind Jordan Farmar, a point guard that has major potential. The second thing the Lakers need to do is make a splash with trades this season. This is La-La Land people. They’re not going to wait for a winner while Kobe wastes his time in California. He’ll move on. He wants to win, period and so does Los Angeles. Get rid of these role players and get someone who is worth the price tag. Of course these are just non on the court moves that could help the Lakers compete in the fierce Western Conference, but until then, the Clippers will be their equal, that’s right, I said it!!!! Thanks for checking in.