The woeful Lakers


The Los Angeles Lakers won a game Sunday night. The Lakers, behind 21 points from Kobe Bryant, were able to top the Charlotte Hornets 107-92. The win, the first of the Lakers' season, moved their record to 1-5.

Winning a game didn't used to be news for the Lakers, but then again the team didn't used to start seasons 1-5. This a team that, with Bryant, has been a perennial contender. Bryant has won five titles and been in the NBA Finals seven times. He's one of the great players of his generation.

But now his declining skill — due to age and injury — and gigantic contract have hamstrung the Lakers. The once proud franchise now isn't even the best team in Los Angeles. That would be the Clippers, who have talent, coach Doc Rivers, and a clear path to the playoffs.

Two seasons ago the Lakers were poised to make one last run. The team has Bryant and Pau Gasol, as well as Metta World Peace. They traded for Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, giving themselves a loaded roster. That team struggled out of the gate, never really came together, and was bounced out of the playoffs in the first round.

Two seasons later, Bryant is coming off a devastating injury, Nash is unable to play due to injury, Howard is a driving force on the contending Houston Rockets, and Gasol is a key cog in the front court for the Chicago Bulls, a contender in the Eastern Conference.

The Lakers core now includes Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin — two players that, like Bryant, are likely past their prime. The team also includes a lot of project players and fill ins. Then there's Bryant — still shooting and playing like he's one of the best players in the league but not getting the results fans have come to expect.

The season is only a couple weeks old, but it feels like it's already over. And, worse yet, there doesn't seem to be a lot of hope in sight. Bryant may be one of the greatest players in franchise history, but it's clear now the team can't win with him or for him any time soon.

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