When you’re used to life at the top, setbacks bigger than the entire state of California naturally makes you push the panic button. In this case, the powers-that-be in an organization as storied and full of tradition took three long years to tweak a flawed system, all the while wallowing in mediocrity and inconsistency.
Very recently, things could be turning towards the positive with the installation of a team official having a legitimate link to that tradition and a real championship pedigree.
Three former teammates, all members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and part of the enjoyable Showtime era, appeared to officially welcome Byron Scott, the LA Lakers’ new head coach. This is a good omen for Laker Nation as the surprise appearance of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jamaal Wilkes finally indicates unity in the purple and gold family.
The Magic Man was obviously pleased with the appointment of Scott as he has been highly critical, if not non-committal of past Laker transactions. This was one of the rare times, in a long time, that Magic supported the move of the franchise. Abdul-Jabbar also spoke saying it is great that LA takes care of its own. For his part, Wilkes said their new coach was a tie to the past but will be an important bridge to the future.
At his presentation to the media Scott, who spent 11 seasons with the Lakers, spoke about his passion and love for the organization and at the same time regretting that Dr. Jerry Buss is not around anymore, adding that the late Laker owner showed him a lot of love and confidence during his playing days. He then vowed to make the Buss family proud and bring the franchise back to where it should be – on top.
How LA’s new mentor will bring the team back to the spotlight could be a mixture of mystery, luck, renewed confidence and pride taking into account their present personnel assembly. This will be a long, hard climb to relevancy with a mission to improve from last season’s 27-55 win-loss record, at the bottom of the Pacific Division.
Resident superstar Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and transferee Carlos Boozer are the senior citizens on the squad with a combined 40-plus years of NBA experience. The trio must impart to the younger set their court savvies to help their new coach attain their expectations.
With Pau Gasol’s departure, the Lakers at the moment lack a strong presence in the 4 and 5 positions. The present crop of bigs in Boozer, Jordan Hill, Ryan Kelly, Robert Sacre, Ed Davis and rookie Julius Randle is sufficient but will have their hands full when they meet the likes of Tim Duncan, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and other like species.
Let us take into account the capability of Nash to play, who reportedly said the 2014-2015 season will be his last. He will be good maybe for 10 to 15 minutes of playing time and probably will come in as a reliever to Jeremy Lin. In some instances, Kobe will be manning the point paired with either Lin or Nick Young.
On opening night, we will probably see Jordan Hill starting at center. Although he’s undersized as a 5 at 6-10, Scott will be favoring him for his rebounding and defense. Sacre has the size and height but he lacks the mobility and hustle of Hill. The 4 spot will go to Boozer unless LA and Mitch Kupchak somehow snatches Kevin Love from the competition. Randle must show his worth and earn this position, likewise Kelly and Davis.
The starting small forward will probably go to Wesley Johnson and could be subbed by Xavier Henry and yes, Kobe. Jordan Clarkson, he with the Filipino mom, could be given some minutes.
The Laker team of the past season forgot what defense was and was content in letting the opposition blow them away so many times. Scott emphasized on the lapse declaring, “We will play hard every single night and we’ll come ready to defend.”
The new and 25th Laker head coach, an Inglewood native, returned to his roots by signing a $17 million 4-year deal with a team option on the last year. He was part of the Showtime championship teams of 1985, 1987 and 1988.
So, will it be Showtime again in LA LA Land? Only time can tell.