Actually, that doesn't do their present predicament enough justice.
Know that cliche-carting, geriatric golden-ager who peddles some exhausted—not to mention totally untrue—bunkum about having to slog through uphill snowstorms to and from school on foot? That's the Lakers.
That's the intimidating journey they now face.
There is no way to completely avoid it either. There is only the uncertain possibility of the Lakers finding a much-needed, smoothly paved, fair-weather shortcut.
Kobe Bryant and the Immediate Battle
Before looking ahead, it's imperative to look at right now. And right now, the Lakers figure to be overtly and overly dependent on a soon-to-be 36-year-old Kobe Bryant, who appeared in only six games last season.
"It's my job to go out there next season and lay it all out there on the line and get us to that elite level," Bryant said in July, via ESPN.com.
Indeed, it is. But should it be?
This isn't an almost-playoff-bound Lakers team Bryant is trying to revive. The Lakers weren't even close to elite last season; they weren't even close to good.
Coached by Mike D'Antoni, playing mostly without Bryant and Steve Nash, the Lakers ranked 21st in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency. They won 27 games. They schlepped through the worst season in franchise history. No one player is going to reverse their fortunes—not even Bryant.
Especially Bryant.
The shooting guard's protection against traditional thinking is mythical in measure. Long before he suffered a ruptured Achilles, he was viewed as invincible, above pain. This side of realizing he isn't made of steel, Bryant is still no...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
