Lakers : Just Another Team

       As the third day of NBA Free Agency comes to a close, the Los Angeles Lakers have to face a harsh reality. They can no longer lure free agents in on command. The Lakers have lost the shine and appealing nature of the team and city, and top free agents like Lamarcus Aldridge are getting harder and harder to sign. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Aldridge has stated that he was not impressed by the presentation given by the Lakers, and therefore is ruling them out of his potential teams. Free agents also won't be pouring into LA, so long as Kobe Bryant holds no faith in his team.

       But Kobe has good reason to lose faith in his team. Over the past three years, he has lost future Hall of Fame Coach Phil Jackson, as well as important players like Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, and Dwight Howard, which helped him maintain a winning record. Because of such losses, the Lakers winning percentage has declined since the depart of Jackson and said players, and reached a jaw dropping low of .329, putting them in prime spot for the second overall pick this past draft.

      Since the Lakers can't seem to land any free agents what so ever, it seems their only option is to rely on their young guns to bring them wins. Second overall pick Deangelo Russell will have to step up big time, and be the star studded point guard Kobe has been missing. If Russell and Kobe can work together as a cohesive backcourt, it sets the stage for Julius Randle to shine in the front court, along side Jordan Hill, who is bound for a breakout season. When this roster is examined, with the hope that the Lakers' prospects will shine, it doesn't count them out of any winning season.

    Back to Deangelo Russell for a second. The choice to pick Russell as opposed to Jahil Okafor, who ended up drafted by the 76'ers the next pick, was a great step in the right direction for this franchise. Adding yet another big man would only add to the chaos and confusion of this team, and limit the production of some players who should be instrumental to this teams' success. Russell will serve as a much needed "star" point guard. I use the term "star" because compared to Jeremy Lin, Russell is an all star. His ability to pass the ball anywhere on the court, and well as effectively utilize his dribble drive to drop 15-20 points a game is something the Lakers haven't had since Derek Fisher in his prime. I personally believe that if this organization can correctly and successfully develop Deangelo Russell and Julius Randle, they will have a platform for future Lakers teams to be built on, in the inevitable "Post Kobe" era.