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Los Angeles Lakers’ dynasty teams mirror today’s potential dynasties

By Leandre Ochoa

LOS ANGELES - APRIL 17: Shaquille O'Neal #34 and Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers wait for play to resume in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on Aril 17, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 72-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - APRIL 17: Shaquille O'Neal #34 and Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers wait for play to resume in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on Aril 17, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 72-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers' dynasty teams mirror today's potential dynasties
Photo by Tom Herde/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /

A Tribute to Champions

Injury-riddled seasons are just a foregone conclusion for teams who make consecutive runs at winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Looking back at our NBA’s history, difficulties for championship contenders is commonplace.

The Boston Celtics in the ‘80s won three championships. The Showtime Lakers went from 1980 to 1990 advancing to seven NBA Finals, winning five. The San Antonio Spurs from 1997 to 2016 won five.

Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers /

Los Angeles Lakers

This elite group of dynasty-level teams throughout history succeeded through down times, which included roster adjustments. Even the great Michael Jordan-led teams of the ‘90s needed major retooling to their aging roster (and of course, Jordan actually coming back to the NBA from Minor League Baseball).

The 1998 Bulls were so hampered by injuries, it’s amazing that team won 60 games, even with arguably the “GOAT” trotting along. That roster had an aging “1B” in Scottie Pippen who missed almost half the season due to injury.

Yet, these dynasties seem to continue to, like Mike, trot along and find a way to get it done. These teams get the inevitable injury bug or hit the proverbial wall, but were still able to persevere, an attribute of a champion, much less a dynasty.

Kobe Bryant’s legacy and his tenure with the Lakers is backed by his out worldly dedication to his work ethic. Matt Given, CEO of Intelivideo, wrote in an article for the INC.com quoting Bryant saying,

"“Those times you stay up late and you work hard. Those times when you don’t feel like working. You’re too tired. You don’t want to push yourself, but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream.”"

The Spurs lost David Robinson and eventually, Tim Duncan to retirement. The Celtics and Lakers of the ’80s got old. Larry Bird no longer looked legendary, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hung up his goggles. Age did catch up to the Bulls, but their reign was halted due to the public rift between Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and then-Bulls General Manager, Jerry Krause.

People felt that if the Bulls’ organization complied with one another, they would have won every championship in the ’90s. The common question for Lakers fans; how many championships would the Lakers have won if Kobe and Shaq continued to play nice?

The Lakers of the early 2000s surely were a dynasty in the making, and young enough to continue competing at a high level, something the Warriors of today can relate to.

Between Golden State and Cleveland, the Warriors look more primed to sustain continued dominance over the NBA, but the injuries to both teams is a common obstacle. Those who overcome in the face of adversity? Dynasty-level teams.

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History

Kobe Bryant spoke about his dream, about the work and not the results, something Bryant probably wouldn’t have said as an active player. The dream for the dynasties of the past and current potential dynasties, like Golden State and Cleveland, are one in the same. To continue to go on and win as much as you can. Until you cannot.

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