Oct 17, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) reacts with the bench after making a three pointer during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Valley View Casino Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The start of the NBA season is just eight days away and the Los Angeles Lakers are slowly beginning to find an identity.
Even during the preseason, the Lakers have faced their fair share of injuries but the team is making the best of their difficult situation. Fans were given a bit of relief when the Lakers defeated the defending champion Golden State Warriors in San Diego on Saturday night.
D’Angelo Russell said it best prior to the game, saying that a win against the Warriors would build up the team’s confidence. With a “W” now notched on their belt, hopefully his prediction was right and the Lakers can build on this momentum.
Preseason is almost coming to an end, but here are three things that Lakers fans would love to see during the regular season.
Next: A Vintage Kobe Bryant Performance
Oct 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is introduced before the game against the Sacramento Kings at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
A Vintage Kobe Bryant Performance
20 seasons into his storied career and Kobe Bryant is a mere shell of his former self. Though apt at showing glimpses of past greatness, injuries continue to plague the Lakers’ knight in shining armor.
This season may very well be Bryant’s last season in the league so it is only fitting that he goes out with a bang.
We are nearly seven years removed from Kobe’s last 50+ point performance, 61 against the New York Knicks on February 2, 2009. That said, Bryant has had a flurry of 40 point performances as recently as 2013.
If Michael Jordan could do it at age 38, why can’t Bryant?
If fully healthy, you can count on at least a few vintage Kobe Bryant games.
Next: A Bit of New Age Showtime
This year is going to be a lot of fun. pic.twitter.com/EEKaTtjkhU
— Lake Show Life (@TheLakeShowLife) October 9, 2015
A Bit Of New Age Showtime
Similar to how no one will ever match the accomplishments of the 1992 Dream Team, it’s hard to imagine a team duplicating what Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers did either. That said, this young Lakers team has the potential to try their darnedest to do just that.
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Despite injuries to Kobe Bryant and D’Angelo Russell, which have heavily altered line ups, the Lakers are proving to be a team that can excel in the open court.
In a starting line up that will at some point feature future stars Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, this could prove to be their bread and butter.
As shown in the Warriors’ game, new addition Marcelo Huertas also provides the Lakers with additional playmaking abilities.
Through six preseason games, Randle is averaging 13 points, 5.5 rebounds on 53% shooting in just 22 minutes of play and his confidence level is soaring. This is encouraging considering he is coming off a season ending leg injury.
The most impressive part of Randle’s game has been his guard like skills and ability to not only get up, but make, shots in traffic. Randle’s dribbling ability mirrors that of Blake Griffin in the open court. This means he will undoubtedly be the quarterback of many fast breaks this season.
Los Angeles’ last great passing big man was Pau Gasol, so Randle has a lot to live up to, but he has the versatility needed to be a dynamic passing forward just like Gasol.
Both units of the Lakers are stacked with capable scoring talent, so don’t be surprised when the young Lakers have a “New Showtime Era” Youtube compilation up at the end of the season.
Next: Throwback Jerseys
Throwback Jerseys
If the Lakers are going to try and emulate the Showtime Era Lakers, it’s only right that they bring back the Showtime Era jerseys.
Over the past few seasons, there has been a gradual reemergence of throwback jerseys with main headliners being the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, and Denver Nuggets.
The last time the Lakers wore their throwbacks was back when Shannon Brown had a vicious alley oop from Steve Blake against the New York Knicks and those unforgettable, hideous short shorts against the Boston Celtics, but that was years ago.
The text shadow, the block font and the classic cut, as opposed to the deep v-neck that is currently trending, are classy and deserve to be showcased.
Not only will this remind fans of the Lakers’ dominance during the Showtime Era or the beginning of a dynasty with the arrival of Shaq and Kobe, but it will also notify them that a new, exciting chapter of their storied franchise is about to begin.
What better way to honor one of the most storied franchises in the league than by bringing these jerseys back?
The Lakers have seemingly chosen the other path of moving forward from their roots and onto the next generation with new Hollywood Night jerseys, but considering Bryant’s current situation, throwbacks seem much more appropriate.
What are some things you’d like to see from the Lakers this season? Let us know in the comments below!