Lakers: Defining LA's Goals for This Season

The Lakers have struggled mightily so far this season, winning only 2 of their first 15 games. As a franchise, what should be their main goal for the rest of the season?

Fans and critics alike debate the answer to this question constantly. But is there a right answer?

It doesn’t help that the coach has a different answer than the popular consensus. That said, here are the three options the Lakers are considering.

A) Continue to try to win as many games as possible
B) Give Kobe Bryant the proper send-off in his 20^th (and almost certainly final) NBA season
C) Give maximum playing time to the younger players to hasten their development

Let’s look at each of the options:

A) Win as many games as possible (focus on the present)

If the Lakers maintain their current winning percentage of .133, they’ll win a grand total of only about 11 games. If they win about half of their remaining 67 games, they’ll finish with around 35 or 36 victories. Chances are the total will wind up somewhere between those two numbers, perhaps 25 to 30 wins.

But the fact remains that the team has virtually a zero percent chance of contending for a championship this season. Even making the playoffs seems beyond reach.

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So does it really make much of a difference whether the Lakers win 18 or 25 or even 35 games? Should Coach Byron Scott continue to go with the veteran players he feels gives the team the best chance of winning, especially when the game is on the line, even if that means the younger potential stars wither on the bench?

Of course it’s a lot more fun to watch your team when it’s winning games. But the Lakers franchise is all about winning titles. And focusing on the present will not bring a championship any sooner. In fact, if focusing on winning now slows down young player development, it just might have the opposite effect.

B) Give Kobe a proper send-off (focus on the past)

Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and arguably the best to ever don a Lakers uniform. He has played the most games and minutes and scored the most points in Lakers history, and his 5 championships are tied for the most won with fellow Lakers legends Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper and Derek Fisher, along with a few Minneapolis Lakers from the 1950s such as George Mikan.

Nov 28, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard guard Kobe Bryant (24) dribbles to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers guard

Damian Lillard

(0) during the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 108-96. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

That’s what makes it so painful and sad to watch Kobe on the court these days. He no longer has enough quickness to get the hoop and his legs lack the spring that used to allow him to elevate and shoot over opponents. Instead he has to settle for closely-guarded fall-away jumpers and misguided long 3’s.

As a result, his shooting percentage is the worst of his career, and he is scoring the fewest points since becoming a starter. He is merely a shadow of his former great self.

Many have called for Bryant to ‘admit defeat’, and retire now, much as Lakers great Elgin Baylor did shortly after the 1971-72 season began, and as superstar Mickey Mantle was forced to do with the Yankees in spring training 1969.

It’s possible Kobe will heed that advice. But he is a headstrong man of great pride and confidence, and there’s a good chance he’ll hang on and try to find that fountain of youth, if only for a game or two here and there.

Regardless, Bryant deserves to be treated respectfully, and fans should be able to thank him one last time for all his contributions to the success of the franchise, and for all the wonderful memories he has given them. The question is, should the salute to Kobe be the spotlight of this season?

C) Develop the younger players (focus on the future)

The 15-man Lakers roster essentially consists of four groups of players.

The first group includes six youngsters: three 2015 draftees, D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr.and Anthony Brown, and three second-year players, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and Tarik Black.

Clarkson, Randle and Russell represent Lakers future hopes. The team needs at least two and preferably all three to blossom into stars if they are to return to NBA prominence. Nance, Brown and Black all show promise as solid contributing supporting players for years to come.

In the next group are the two young veterans Ryan Kelly, 24, in his third year, and Robert Sacre, 26, in his fourth. Typically by that age and experience players have already become at least solid NBA rotation guys. But both Kelly and Sacre currently occupy the deep end of the bench. Neither is under contract beyond this year and each is doubtful to return next season.

Lakers: Defining LA’s Goals for This Season

By Ed Schrenzel | Nov 29, 2015

The Lakers have struggled mightily so far this season, winning only 2 of their first 15 games. As a franchise, what should be their main goal for the rest of the season?

A) Win as many games as possible (focus on the present)

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B) Give Kobe a proper send-off (focus on the past)

C) Develop the younger players (focus on the future)