Lakers End Season on Sour Note

The Lakers 2006-2007 season ended last week with a poor playoff performance against the Phoenix Suns. It has taken me a few days to digest the season, the playoffs, and the aftermath. I'm sure it will take the Lakers organization the better part of off season to recover and adjust from a disappointing year. While the regular season was up and down, the playoffs were just down, and the reality of the Lakers true standing in the league was hard for many fans, players, and staff to take.

Kobe Bryant said "Do something and do it now, I don't know what to do, but it is extremely frustrating. We are going on three years of still being on ground zero." We share your frustration, but being at "ground zero" is a bit of an exaggeration. The Lakers missed the playoffs three years ago and ended the season on a horrible losing streak that made them look like one of the worst teams in the league. Odom looked like a bust, they had virtual no prospects, and no salary cap space.

The team they have today is much better then the team of 2004-2005 under head coach Frank Hamblen which missed the playoffs. Unfortunately, the team of 2006-2007 is not championship caliber and that is what all of us expect. Is it possible to go from the low of 2005 to the upper echelon of the NBA in only a couple of years? Having the best player in the league gives you a shot, but you also need to make all of the right moves and get a little lucky. Everyone's leaning on Kupchak now, but he was looking like a genius when the Lakers came out of the gate strong earlier this season. For all the God-like qualities of Jerry West, the Memphis Grizzlies are horrible, so cut Mitch some slack. But he's gotta know the clock is ticking.

Phil is only under contract for one more year and Kobe can opted out in 2009. Plus Kobe is old beyond his years, so he feels like he needs to win now. "Do something and do it now." We hear you, but will the extra pressure help? I doubt it. Although many people say that the Lakers are in a rebuilding mode, I disagree. They are just a young team that's missing a piece or two. Mitch doesn't need anyone to tell him that he needs add new players to the squad. I trust that Jerry Buss and his son, Mitch, Phil, and Kobe are all on the same page. An objective analysis of the situation seems obvious to me.

At center, Bynum is still a kid at 19 and doesn't appear to have the best work ethic in the world. He's got a lot of potential, but I don't know how long the organization is willing to wait. If this was a better team, I think they would take the time to nurture him, but right now he looks like their most viable trade bait. If they do trade him, it must be for another big who is an all-star like Kevin Garnett or Jermaine O'Neal. Those names are much rumored but only a real GM in the NBA knows the reality.

At point guard, Farmar was a pleasant surprise and I really like his game and attitude. He's young and should be the point guard of the future, but can be an all-star and how good is his defense? Smush is a defensive liability and has a bad work ethic, so he's basically gone. The Lakers need to pick up a quick defensive stopper at the guard position, whether it's at point or shooting. This can, hopefully, be done with their mid level exemption in the free agent market. If not, it might have to be part of a package trade.

The forward position seems OK to me if you address your issues at the big and small end of the spectrum. Odom had a good year despite numerous obstacles, but Kobe and him are not the championship one-two punch. You might have to trade Lamar to get a proven all-star caliber big man. If you trade him, then you can keep Bynum. Trading both of them is not a good idea unless you get two all-stars in return. Ideally, you pick up another dominant big man, a poor man's Shaq, to compliment Kobe then Lamar is the utility player that fills in the gaps.

Walton had a up and down season, but he's a smart player that fits in well with the triangle. It would be nice to have a little more depth at the small forward. They went from having a log jam, to only a couple players in the course of one off season.

Finally, let's address the issue of Vladmir "Borat" Radmanovich, the big signing of last off season. He has been a major disappointment and Kupchak gets a lot of heat for signing him to a long term contract. That big contract will keep him from being traded, so I think we're stuck with him. If he can stay away from snowboarding, then he should be able to knock down some open looks next season. He's got the size of a power forward but plays like a shooting guard, I trust Phil and his Zen ways can make that work in the triangle.

Phil seemed visibly frustrated most of this season. His face express how most true fans felt. Another season like this and it may all come crumbling down, so let's hope a couple of smart moves will make a big difference. Hey, at least we got as far as the Dallas Mavericks this season.