5. The Lakers’ History
If someone would have told you ten years ago that the Los Angeles Lakers, the gold standard in the NBA, would be competing with the Los Angeles Clippers for players you would have thought that notion was crazy. The Lakers have 16 NBA championship banners hanging in the rafters at Staples Center and their list of all-time greats is like something out of a superhero movie.
The one characteristic of nearly every Lakers team is their passion for winning. They have consistently shown that there is no price tag too steep or obstacle too tough for this franchise.
The Lakers have shown that they are not afraid to take risks in order to succeed. Whether it be trading a proven player in Vlade Divac for an unproven high school kid in Kobe Bryant, or their attempt to acquire superstar Chris Paul even if it meant sacrificing Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Unlike other teams that may be content with standing pat, the Lakers are always looking for ways that they can improve.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, there has been a playoff drought the previous six years. Things within the organization became dark, including a sibling rivalry and a sudden resignation from President of Basketball Operations and Laker-great Magic Johnson.
Regardless of this tarnish on the purple and gold record, the overall history of the Lakers is something most other teams would be envious of.