The Want for Parity, Though Unfair
Within four consecutive years of losing, this organization, unaccustomed to such a steep fall from grace, find themselves now at a major crossroad where the outcome can very much affect the team’s process to prosperity.
It’s nothing as earth-shattering as Chris Paul being taken away from Lakers, but if the consequences of tampering by Johnson is seen as a violation of the NBA’s tampering policy, the positive off-season the Lakers had may have reversed its course.
The Lakers of today aren’t in the same position as the 2011 Lakers were. That team was an elite player away from returning to championship form, yet opposing organizations still seem unable to live with the Lakers getting what they want.
If Dan Gilbert and the supposed “other owners” in the league were so motivated to keep parity of the Association prominent, why weren’t letters sent to Stern about the Celtics creating the “Boston Three Party” in 2007? Or a message sent to the commissioner about the party in South Beach in 2010. Hell, there was not one angry laden email sent in Comic Sans to Adam Silver when the “four horsemen” of Golden State were compiled (Yes, a majority of them were drafted, but still. Kevin Durant?).
Even Boston’s potential acquiring of Kyrie Irving has created a more than capable squad to rival Lebron and his Cavaliers, whose “decision” may be responsible for the increase of influence on the current “super team”-era.
Today, the NBA is thriving under a new wave of players and a fresh outlook on competition. Within the successes of the NBA, including three straight Finals appearances between the same two teams, the Los Angeles Lakers will and always be one of the biggest draws in the NBA.
According to Forbes, the Lakers’ team value is worth $3 billion, second only to the New York Knicks, in spite of having the worst four season stretch the franchise has ever seen. Seeing them flourish into the upper echelons of the NBA again will only generate the NBA more money, something that’s difficult to happen if the other owners continue to lay an onslaught of indictments towards Los Angeles’ heritage team.