Lakers Proving Money Alone Doesn’t Win a Championship

Greatness comes at a cost in many aspects of life.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, it's more expensive than for most.

The Lakers hold a current payroll of $100.4 million according to HoopsHype.com, more than $40 million over the NBA's soft cap.

What have they gotten for this league-leading salary thus far in 2012-13?  How about a 1-4 start and a fired head coach with a side of Mike D'Antoni.

Yikes.

While things have been on the upswing recently for L.A. (a .500 record, woo-hoo!), the Lakers have proven that money alone cannot buy success.

While there may be a direct link to team payroll and team wins, one cannot simply open up a wallet and expect other teams to lie down for you.

Teams like the Orlando Magic (third in payroll, 25th in wins) and Indiana Pacers (20th in payroll, third in East last season) further help to prove this point.

Money certainly helps, but it is by no means the be-all, end-all when it comes to winning in professional basketball.

Looking at some tape of the Lakers, they're primary areas of concern right now are the passing game with Steve Nash out and overall team defense.  As of November 20th, the Lakers were just 14th in the league in points allowed and 18th in assists per game.

A lot of that can be contributed to the teams poor chemistry thus far.

In an opening night loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers too often looked confused on defensive switches and were often a step late getting to their man.

As seen above around the 30 second mark, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant get crossed up, leaving both Gasol's man wide open in the paint and O.J. Mayo open for a three-pointer.  Steve Nash was also late getting to his man.

At 2:27, the Lakers defense again does a poor job of communicating, as Dallas had three players wide open while an unguarded Branden Wright cuts to the basket for an A...

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