The Laker 3-peat is in jeopardy…

I had to mention this with good reason. With the Lakers’ recent 19-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, fans everywhere are concerned. They have also lost big games to San Antonio and Miami (ah yes, the annual Christmas Day debacle). What happened to our championship team? Should we be worried?

My answer: YES.

I have probably been saying this for the past few weeks, but the Lakers’ poor performance as of late has come into prominence after the loss of Sasha Vujacic to a three-way trade with the Houston Rockets and the New Jersey Nets (the endgame team for Sasha this season). Many people don’t really believe me when I say that it all started at that moment because Sasha was buried deep on the bench, never got any playing time, and unfortunately became more like cannon fodder than someone who could contribute. What happened when he went to New Jersey? He got more playing time and scored 22 points in a recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although the Nets didn’t win, he was considered a top performer of the game. That’s what happens when you get a player in a rhythm, right?

But anyway, what the Lakers got in return was veteran Joe Smith, who hardly saw playing time in both New Jersey and now Los Angeles. I am sure he’s a decent guy and super excited to be with a championship team (he had joked before that the Lakers was the first team that he didn’t have any former teammates on), but an aging player sitting behind already established Laker stars Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol isn’t going to see much time on the floor. So there isn’t very much he can contribute (at the moment anyway).

So what the heck is my point, you ask? With so many trades in the off-season and mid-season, the Lakers have lost essential pieces (Sasha, Jordan Farmar, Josh Powell, DJ Mbenga, Adam Morrison, Kurt Rambis) to a championship puzzle. Most were fan favorites and have been with the Lakers for the three times they have entered the NBA Finals. We won two championships with these guys. Fans have already formed an attachment (and probably the current Lakers themselves) to these guys, so the idea of a new team is alien to some.

Now with the additions of Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, Derrick Caracter, and Joe Smith, you would think that there would be some sort of upgrade… Steve Blake and Matt Barnes are excellent shooters, Derrick Caracter provides youth, and Joe Smith provides help when need be. But adjustments had to be made and a new bond between teammates needed to be formed. The bond between the current and former players had been broken. But that is the life of the NBA–teams dismantle and must be retooled. These guys must learn the triangle offense quickly or the Lakers’ style of play will become scattered. And from what I’ve heard, the triangle offense is not easy to pick up, even for the most skilled player. I don’t really understand it completely (but it is probably because I’m more of a spectator than someone who could sit for hours analyzing the technicalities of the game).

Although each Laker rookie (yes, it’s what I’ll have to group new players for now) has their strengths and weaknesses on the court, they must learn how to bond with the veteran Lakers on-court and off-court. We haven’t seen that as much this season as we have in seasons past. Furthermore, all of the players need to find motivation within themselves as well if they all want to win again. It is the only way they can redeem themselves and become a championship-caliber team because it seems as if every other team (whether they have played them or not at this point) has walked all over them. Other teams have become more hungry and have more intensity and drive to win than the Lakers have at this point.

So to my Lakers, please, please wake up from the nightmare that is crapper-dom and win! It may not be much from a common fan, but I am still rooting for you guys to get out of your funk. Show the world that you are the championship team you have always been.

fin.

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