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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 most disappointing seasons in franchise history

By Cameron Salce

Jun 3, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3), forward LeBron James (23) and coach Frank Vogel react in the second half during game six in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 3, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3), forward LeBron James (23) and coach Frank Vogel react in the second half during game six in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. The 2003-2004 Los Angeles Lakers losing in the Finals with four sure-fire Hall of Famers

After failing to pull off the four-peat in 2002-03 the Lakers reloaded their arsenal and signed both Karl Malone and Gary Payton who were already NBA legends, but were also past their prime. Yet even an older version of those players paired with the best duo in the league made for a very scary starting five because both Payton and Malone were starving for their first NBA title.

The Lakers created the only starting five in team history that included four current Hall of Famers, and their fifth was Rick Fox who was one of the best Lakers role players ever.

Heading into that season, everyone expected this Lakers super team to walk over the league in route to their fourth title in five seasons. Even after sustaining injuries to multiple stars throughout the season and playoffs they still almost managed to pull that off.

They made it to the NBA Finals that season after defeating the number one seeded Minnesota Timberwolves and MVP Kevin Garnett in six games in the Western Conference Finals. However, in the Finals, they ran into the buzz saw that was the Detroit Pistons that had more team chemistry and depth on their roster.

This season was not only disappointing because of the result of losing the Finals in five games, but because the tumultuous relationships on the team boiled over and resulted in the trade of Shaquille O’Neal and Gary Payton, and the retirement of Malone.

Kobe did lead the team in scoring in their one win in the series, but there were rumblings on the bench that he shot them out of the other games that they lost. His do it all attitude lead him to be the only star left after this failed attempt to go all-in for a title in 2004.

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