2. The Lakers signed some vets who know how to win
When a young team is trying to take that final step towards becoming a championship team, it kinda helps if they acquire one or two guys who know how to win a championship because they’ve already done it.
To that end, the Lakers signed point guard Rajon Rondo to a one year contract. Although some in the mainstream media, like Brian Windhorst, questioned the move, it should turn out to be a great signing.
Other than his great passing, court vision, basketball IQ and overall moxie, Rondo played on a championship team a decade ago, ironically when his Boston Celtics beat Kobe’s Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals. Rondo also lost a championship when the Celtics pulled one of the greatest choke jobs in sports history by blowing a 13-point lead in the second half of Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Lakers. He’ll bring that know-how and teach the rest of the team what to do and what not to do in key playoff games.
Los Angeles also signed JaVale McGee, otherwise known as the unofficial mayor of Shaqtin’ a Fool.
All jokes aside, McGee played on the back-to-back world champion Golden State Warriors, and can provide solid rim protection and rebounding along with garbage baskets on lobs, fast breaks and offensive rebounds. Perhaps he’ll prove to be a little smarter and wiser than he seems at first glance.
Their other two signings, Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley, have both played deep into the playoffs. Stephenson faced off against Lebron in the 2013 and 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, and Beasley actually played with Lebron when the Heat lost to the Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals.
Youth alone doesn’t win championships. But when combined with salty, experienced, productive vets like the ones who will don the purple and gold this upcoming season, youth can grow up and reach maturity faster than some may expect.