With the Los Angeles Lakers clinging to what may become barren playoff hopes, the demand for sustainable change has never been greater.
Most of us scoffed at Tinseltown's early-onset struggles. Natural growing pains were to blame. Injuries and foreign playing styles were a temporary hindrance. The Lakers would inevitably epitomize superstar powerhouses.
Or, you know, maybe not.
Physical afflictions have derailed much of what the Lakers were hoping they had built over the summer, but insufficient chemistry has been the prevailing theme in Los Angeles. And neither will excuse the Lakers for failing to reach the postseason. Injuries and tactical misfits won't even exonerate a failure to contend.
That is what the Lakers signed up for when they had what was considered the paramount of offseasons, not unlike the Miami Heat in 2010.
James' (and Bosh's) arrival in South Beach signified the beginning of dynasty-esque dominance (and conspiracy theories). Together, he and Wade formed the most dynamic of NBA duos, and the Heat were the most feared (and loathed) of anyone in the Association.
Then reality set in. Miami began the 2010-11 campaign just 9-8, and it became increasingly obvious that the Heat wasn't going to run away with anything other than their division. Even after a finals appearance, the masses questioned the faction Pat Riley had built.
Fast-foward to the 2011-12 lockout-truncated campaign, a nightmarish crusade for almost everyone involved. Miami didn't finish with the best record in the league, or even the Eastern Conference (Chicago Bulls), but LeBron and Wade won a championship.
Upon hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy into the air and popping some bubbly, all was forgotten. The struggles, rampant ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
