Los Angeles Lakers: The Expendables
By Brian Booth
Looking at the roster as it is right now for the 2014-2015 Los Angeles Lakers team, I can’t help but think of Sly Stallone’s EXPENDABLES film franchise; a team made up of people either past their prime, or trying to make a name for themselves in the game. Like the Expendables movies, no one expects to watch a powerful award winning masterpiece, just something entertaining. The same can be said for this Lakers’ team.
Laker fans anxiously awaited this summer for years, as the Lakers would finally have much needed and anticipated cap-space to spend on free agents. Players like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were expected to be available, and fans (myself included) allowed themselves to be teased with the notion of a new super-team in Hollywood, along with the return of franchise legend and icon Kobe Bryant.
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Well, that is the difference between fantasy and reality. While fantasy let us dream of a new Big 3 of Bryant, James and Anthony, reality quickly set in. Immediately after Anthony and James were off the market, the Lakers started spending their money.
One-month wonder Jeremy Lin was acquired via trade with the Houston Rockets. Carlos Boozer, who once demanded a max contract, was claimed off waivers. Nick Young, and un-proven fan favorite was signed to a questionable 4 year, $21 million contract, and up and coming forward/center Jordan Hill was signed for 2 more years. Bryant’s loyal sidekick Pau Gasol saw how the tides were turning, and after years of being the subject of non-stop trade rumors, agreed to a new deal with the Chicago Bulls.
Yes folks, along with the aging Bryant, and the barely mobile 40 year old Steve Nash (who has played in less than 50 games since signing with the Lakers 2 years ago), these are your new (and improved?) Los Angeles Lakers, hardly the stuff championship team are made of.
Some positive notes though about this team; with Bryant back, and former all-stars in the mix, they should at least be more entertaining to watch than last year’s abysmal squad. Also, the bulk of the existing contracts, and new contracts are short-term, meaning the Lakers were able to maintain future cap flexibility to, if nothing else, at least make themselves a player in next year’s, and future free agent marketers, when such players as Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Rajon Rondo may become available.
Until then, like the Expendables movies, fans won’t be watching an epic Hollywood blockbuster, but they should at least get their money’s worth for a fun night of basketball.