The last few years have been anything the sweet for Los Angeles’ Premier Basketball Franchise, The Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe Bryant’s era ended with injuries, drama & lack of championship chemistry (Dwight Howard, Steve Nash & Roy Hibbert). Fast forward to February 2017, former Lakers Champion Magic Johnson becomes the President Of Basketball Operations and gives the Lakers new hope for change on their long road back to prominence. By trading away future all stars Brook Lopez & D’Angelo Russell as well as a few bad contracts, Magic Johnson cleared cap space for the 2018 Free Agent LeBron James to sign a 4yr long term contract with a player option for over $160 Million. Fast forward to Christmas Day 2018, LeBron gets a groin injury in a victory over the Golden State Warriors. This injury started a domino effect as the entire team suffered from injuries the rest of the season which ultimately ended with the Lakers missing the NBA Playoffs for the 6th season in a row. With a losing streak becoming more evident, the media began to expose the drama inside the Lakers Front Office. The Anthony Davis fumble on the 2019 Trade Deadline can be considered the straw that broke the camel‘s back. The sports media and basketball fans have witnessed what can only be described as a Franchise on fire burning down to the ground to be rebuilt from the ground up. Will the Lakers get back on track during Lebron’s Era? In my opinion, the only way that is a possibility is if the Lakers Front Office fires Rob Pelinka, Kurt & Linda Rambis, Gives Lebron more power through recruits & Free Agency, and lastly force Jeanie Buss to either step up as a leader or sell the team to someone like Magic Johnson who can start from scratch with his own team of leaders in position. As a student of the game, I know that the entire league benefits when the Lakers are back in the Playoff Picture. Summer is here, so we will see what the Lakers do to change the culture in due time...
