Similarities between the two Los Angeles Lakers teams:
Star Power
There is no doubt that both teams had large amounts of star power. In 2003-04, the Los Angeles Lakers were still one of the teams to beat and there was no personality larger than Shaq and Kobe. They were the ultimate dynamic duo. Now with the Glove and the Mailman, they had formed their own type of Justice League.
This current Los Angeles Lakers team has more than their share of star power as well. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, and Carmelo Anthony. There was a lot expected of the team in 03-04 and you know there sure is a lot expected of this current team. That’s sort of what happens when the stars align and great talent comes together with one thing in mind.
The Main Goal
Both teams had the same goal in mind, winning an NBA Title. That is all there is. Anything short of that we all know is no good. In 2003-04, the Los Angeles Lakers were just coming off a season in which they saw themselves knocked out of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals by the mighty San Antonio Spurs.
This is after coming off of winning three consecutive titles. The current Lakers squad also saw themselves bounced from the NBA Playoffs this past season by the Phoenix Suns after winning a title the season before. Therefore, both teams are going in the same direction and on the same mission.
We all know that if the Lakers do not win a title this year, or at least get to the NBA Finals, it would be looked at as a failure of a season. If you look back at the 03-04 team, they did at least make the finals and were outplayed by a hungrier and a better defensive team in the Pistons.
Front Office
While there may be some different faces in the Los Angeles Lakers front office as compared to 2003-04, the mission is still the same. Mitch Kupchak was the general manager back then and the great Dr. Jerry Buss was the owner.
They went out and got what was needed as they knew that the clock was ticking for that Lakers team and they had to make moves in order to get them back to where they had to be. The rest is history as they went out and signed Payton and Malone, of course.
Fast forward to this current team. Rob Pelinka is the general manager. Ownership of course belongs to the Buss Family Trust but Jeanie Buss is the main woman in control. Pelinka and Buss spared no expense and went out and brought in some mega-talented players for this team. They know what is at stake for the Lakers this year.
Opposing Teams
Various teams in the NBA are rapidly improving each and every season. Just look back at these past NBA Playoffs, which were extremely exciting! There are now so many teams that are very competitive such as the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and the Utah Jazz.
Back in 2003-04, the Lakers also had a similar situation in that they were up against many talented teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and the New Jersey Nets.
There was a lot of talent spread around the league as many others were right behind the Lakers and wanted what they had. The same can be said for this upcoming season where we have seen teams make moves and heavily improve their rosters. Like 2003-04, it will not be easy for the Lakers as they will have to go up against some very talented teams.
The West Is The Best
Ok, I will give the Milwaukee Bucks a ton of credit for what they were able to pull off this past season. That being said, you cannot deny that the Western Conference is loaded with some mega-talented teams. Other than the Lakers, there is Utah Jazz who came up short this past year but could have possibly won it all. They are deep and deadly with the great combination of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
The Phoenix Suns will look to run it back but this time, they want a chip. They re-signed Chris Paul and have Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Jae Crowder. The Dallas Mavericks really came on toward the end of last season. Luka Doncic is by far one of the most unique and deeply talented players in the NBA. Kristaps Porzingis gives them a solid one-two punch. You can always bet on owner Mark Cuban to build a very solid, hard, and hustling team.
Then of course there are the Denver Nuggets, the Golden State Warriors and of course the Los Angeles Clippers. It should an interesting season in the west. Back in 2003-04, the western conference was loaded with talented teams as well. The Spurs were led by head coach Gregg Popovich and players like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Robert Horry, Tony Parker, and Bruce Bowen.
Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves and had a great supporting cast with Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell. Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Michael Finley and Antwan Jamison were large and in charge in Dallas. In Sacramento, the Kings still possessed a deeply talented team with Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, and Peja Stojakovic.