Mar 6, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; American actor Jack Nicholson watches during the first half of the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
What Does This Mean For the Lakers?
If the Lakers were able to land the #1 pick, Andrew Wiggins should be the choice. This is a town prided on star talent. Andrew is the only player that combines basketball skills with NBA-elite level athleticism. He’ll be a bit of a project early on, but the Laker fanbase can finally grow with the player. When a franchise acquires players through free agency, there’s no sense of attachment to the player. Laker fans weren’t really that disappointed when Dwight Howard left. Could you imagine how upset they would be if their hometown favorite, Kobe Bryant, left to the Clippers years ago?
Andrew is his own personality. He isn’t outspoken like Shaquille O’Neal. He has gifts that most NBA players don’t have. He has something that would give Laker fans something to cheer about, even if the Lakers don’t make the playoffs in 2015. He isn’t the next Kobe Bryant, but at least he can be a symbol of hope for the franchise. There are other great lottery picks in this upcoming draft, but Laker fans respect rare talent.
The franchise won five championships when they drafted a player with an NBA father.
Hopefully, they can find the same success with that combination, once again.