Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant feels great about position team is in
Although the Lakers have not been to the postseason for a while, Kobe Bryant likes their chances in the future.
The Los Angeles Lakers are experiencing perhaps their most challenging trial yet. After missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year, the Lakers are in unfamiliar territory.
This nasty streak is strange, indeed, given that the team’s philosophy is built around winning world championships.
Despite the Lakers’ lack of recent success, five-time champion Kobe Bryant likes Los Angeles’ current predicament.
By virtue of the team’s spike in wins in comparison to last year, the fact that Bryant is encouraged is justified. A lot of that improvement is courtesy of the fine job president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka did in last year’s NBA draft.
In that draft, the Lakers selected Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart. Granted all three have their fair share of imperfections, they showed strings of great promise in their rookie campaigns.
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The Lakers also saw a breakout year from sophomore Brandon Ingram. While B.I. missed some time due to health concerns, his second year demonstrated his potential to be an All-Star. A lot of that potential stemmed from a huge increase in his overall confidence.
L.A. has a lot going for them beyond their talented young group of ballers, though. The team’s cap space situation is extremely favorable. As a result, they may have the ability to sign two max-level free agents this summer.
Bryant grasps the position the Lakers are in and understands there is much to consider. Not too long back, the Black Mamba said the following to Fox Sports Radio about the Lakers’ situation (courtesy of Lakers Nation writer Trevor Lane).
"“It depends on what they want to do. It depends what options are available to them. But I’ve got to tell you, man, they have a couple great lanes to go down. Whether it’s free agency, or whether it’s developing the young talent that they currently have, they’re in a really, really great position. I love everything I’ve been seeing from these young guys. Their ability to fight, get in the gym early, stay in late, all those things are things that pay off.”"
As KB24 said, the Lakers certainly have a good amount to pore over. Albeit 35 wins is a definite bump over last year’s total, that number will need to go up for them to have any shot at the postseason in 2018-2019.
Of course, that quest is largely up to Magic and Rob, who will have their hands full this summer. The ball is in their court in every sense of the word.
The Lakers have struggled to attract high caliber free agents over the last few years. To have any chance at persuading anyone to come to L.A., the team’s brass will need to rely more upon basketball in their sales pitches. Discussing the eccentric perks of Hollywood will not cut it.
Even if the Lakers fail to reel in the big fish, though, the ball club’s hopes are not entirely vanquished. There is still a lot to be excited about with this current crop of talent.
It is understandable that the term patience is not in the vocabularies of Lakers’ fans. However, as Bryant noted, the young guys proved they know how to “fight” in 2017-2018. Even when the purple and gold lost, they rarely got run out of the building.
Next: Los Angeles Lakers Ultimate Guide to 2018 Offseason
At any rate, the upcoming summer will be a crucial one for the Lakers’ franchise. Major decisions are lurking, making it a thrilling time to be a follower of the 16-time champs.