The Lakers implosion should lead to Lakers explosion

In a display that resembles most Hollywood tragedies, the LA Lakers went down in flames to the Dallas Mavericks in a 36 point defeat, an implosion of epic proportions.  For this Laker hater, it was a sight worth missing the Giants beat the Rockies and Ryan Vogelsong pitching six innings of no hit ball.  While at the gym, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the TV screen as three pointers after three pointers went in.  I have never done so much meaningless and unfulfilling cardio in my life.  I had about as many sweat beads as Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum had forearm shivers.  There was one thing though very apparent on my face, the biggest smile one can see.  So now that the Lakers are out of the playoffs and won’t be anywhere near the championship trophy, Phil Jackson’s kids can ship those XII (#12) lids they had made for him off to some African nation where the NBA sends the rest of the championship gear they always have made for the eventual losing team.  In reality, the Lakers have much bigger problems ahead.

Following the Lakers implosion, much was discussed about that Lakers pending explosion.  It is no secret the Lakers are getting old and their window of opportunity to win another championship has come crashing down.  But what lies ahead for the Lakers?  By the time this is posted, Coach Phil Jackson (Zen Master) will already be on his Harley, heading north up Interstate 5, on his way to his Unabomber cabin in Montana where he will, in the words of Dallas Mavericks’ coach Rick Carlisle, “meditate and smoke peyote.”  The Lakers are way over the luxury tax and whenever a new CBA is hammered out, the projected salary cap will be so low that the Lakers will be forced to move some of their important championship parts.

Last week, Laker great and hall of famer Magic Johnson said that if the Lakers were to lose the series against the Dallas Mavericks, that management should strongly consider breaking up the Lakers and start the process of rebuilding.  He was criticized by the Zen Master for the timeliness of his comments.  However, I don’t think anyone is arguing with the content of what Magic said, and this blogger completely agrees with him.  The Lakers should be blown-up.  Management needs to completely re-tool and start over now while they can still salvage some mended, broken pieces.  As a Kings fan, I’ve watched my team in the past try desperately to over-spend on mediocre free agents just to keep the hope of making the playoffs alive, instead of just starting over fresh.  The Kings paid for it and are now, 5 years later, just starting to come up to respectability.  Lakers, don’t make this same mistake, for your fans sake. 

The Lakers have a lot of tradable assets that teams may still give up decent value for.  Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum would garner some quality assets if moved.  The Lakers have to at least keep one of those bigs, and If I had to choose, I would keep and build around Bynum.  He is much younger and while a head case, he has great potential to be a dominate center in the NBA.  Lamar Odom and Ron Artest won’t get you much, as they are nearing the end of their prime and have huge contracts.  You may have to end up either keeping them or buying out their contracts.  I would keep Odom as he offers many dimensions to his game, but I would cut the cord with Artest.  He clearly has lost a step as evidence with his defense against J.J Barea.  Artest was so frustrated with trying to defend him that he raked him in the face at the end of Game 2, causing him to be suspended for Game 3.  I guess for Barea's sake, a rake to the face is a lot better than getting a table leg to the heart (I know, cheap Jim Rome reference; QUEENS BRIDGE!!). 

It won't be easy however trading these four, as they are all tied up in long term contracts for huge sums.  Bynum has 3 years at $13.7 million, Gasol 4 years at $17.8 million, Odon 3 years at $8.2 million, and Artest 3 years at $6.3 million (contract amounts are per/year).  And these are just their so-called tradable assets.  They still have the bad contracts of Luke Walton for 3 years at $5.2 million, Steve Blake 4 years at $4 million, and Derek Fisher 3 years at $3.7 million (contract amounts per/year).  There is one tradable asset that I didn't mention, and I think at this juncture, it should be talked about.    

This is where I would detonate the bomb if I were the Lakers.  I would solicit offers for Kobe Bryant, and at least see what he would get you back on the market.  If you could get 80 cents on the dollar for Kobe, I would consider pulling the trigger on a deal.  Before people fly off the handle on me and tell me I’m crazy, here is my explanation.  Kobe Bryant is without a doubt still a high quality player, but he is not the player of 2-3 years ago.  He also has a contract with 4 years remaining at $24.8 million per year.  I’m not going to deny that he is one of the greatest of all-time, but he is also a selfish, arrogant player who isn’t easy to win over.  It would take a lot for a coach other than the Zen Master, and for some reason Coach K, to win the respect of Kobe Bryant.  With the Zen Master retiring, who are the Lakers going to bring in to be their new head coach, and how will he mesh with Kobe?  This blogger is convinced anyone the Lakers try to bring in will just be a nightmare.  I’m also convinced Kobe will not be able to play for any coach, with the exception of maybe Coach K, like he played for the Zen Master, and I mean in terms of effort.  Michael Jordan couldn’t do it either.  When MJ returned to basketball to play his 3 forgotten years with the Washington Wizards, they hired Doug Collins away from his plush TNT gig because for one, the Zen Master was employed already, and two, Doug Collins was the only other coach MJ respected enough to play for, and even then, that didn't work out.  Kobe is the same way.  So unless the Lakers can convince Coach K to leave Duke (almost again), they better either have Kobe interview their next head coach, have Kobe be the first player-coach, or off load him for workable assets in return.  Their may be one saving grace within the Lakers organization, and he sits to the left of Coach Zen Master. 

The in-house coaching candidate that may be able to solve this seemingly inevitable problem is Brian Shaw, current assistant coach.  He has been groomed by the Zen Master to take over the helm whenever he departed.  Shaw can slide one chair to his right and keep that ship sailing with Kobe on it.  If they try to outsource their coaching job and look to someone who isn't familiar with the triangle, that person is doomed for failure.  Kobe supposedly has a good relationship with Shaw and can conceivably play for him.  Shaw is at least an ex-player who was at one time a Laker, so he knows the system and what it means to be a Laker.  He can teach and coach up younger prospect, while still maintaining the happiness of Kobe.  It could be the ideal situation for Shaw and Kobe; but only if Kobe is willing to be patient and surfer through a couple years of just being competitive and nearly missing playoffs.  Can he do it?  I think we’ll find out; sooner rather than later.


Mr. Armchair Speaking.