Fans are quick to look at the 2004-05 season as a reference point as it pertains to where the Lakers are headed, and that comparison is close on some level.
Dwight Howard left the Lakers last summer, much in the same way that Shaquille O’Neal forced his way out of L.A. in the 2004 summer. Kobe Bryant ended up having to carry the team, but he failed in that respect as evidenced by the fact the Purple and Gold won only 34 games.
In the following year, Los Angeles re-hired Phil Jackson (he had been previously dismissed by the Lakers after losing the 2004 NBA Finals in five games), and he took the team back to the playoffs.
By the 2007-08 season, general manager Mitch Kupchak acquired Pau Gasol via trade and turned the franchise into a title contender.
It's easy to look at the low-win total from 2004-05 and connect it with 2013-14. However, there's another season that offers far more similarities.
This year is the new 1995-96
The 2013-14 season also offers some intriguing resemblances to the 1995-96 campaign.
It’s worth mentioning, there are differences involved with these two teams. Indeed, the 2013-14 Lakers reside at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, while the 1995-96 team made the playoffs and had fairly high expectations as a 53-win team (won 48 year prior).
In addition, the 1995-96 squad had talented young players in Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones coupled with a seasoned big man named Elden Campbell to either build around, or use as terrific complementary players next to a superstar. Still, that doesn't mean there aren't some clear parallels to hope come true.
Magic Johnson came out of his retirement and joined the Lakers in January. He had stepped away from the g...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
