Thus far into the 2014-2015 NBA season and sadly enough we can already see that the Los Angeles Lakers are who we thought they were. They currently sit at 0-5 through their first five games. Granted, they have played some of the top Western Conference teams in all five games and have managed to keep a few games close. With Kobe Bryant back, this group of Lakers may be more exciting to watch than last year’s team, but they sure aren’t even as close to as successful.

They are ranked dead last in the NBA in points allowed per game and rank 21^st overall in rebounding. They lost their big-time rookie in Julius Randle during the season opener to a broken leg and once that happened, it seemed another dark cloud would hover over the Lakers season. Coming into the season not many people realistically saw the Lakers contending, but to watch the Lakers get blown out in most of their games so far is just saddening. The NBA is a much better entertainment source when the Lakers are relevant and right now they are anything but.

The “40^th ranked player” according to ESPN, Kobe Bryant is averaging 27.6 points per game thus showing his doubters that he has returned to at least a part of his former self after the injuries. Another bright spot for the Lakers has been the play of  Jordan Hill, who has been the Lakers second best player averaging 14.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. It has seemed at times that Kobe has resorted back to 2004-2005 Kobe where he would rather shoot a fully contested shot than pass to his teammates. If the Lakers want to even be somewhat relevant Kobe is going to have to learn to trust his teammates instead of shooting almost every time he has the ball.

While it is still early, the Lakers’ play has been terrible and looks like another long season in Laker land. Nick Young is on his way back back soon and he should help them with some things but his lack of production on defense won’t help them at all. Despite all this losing, it seems as if Laker fans aren’t reeling after losses or calling for Scott’s job like they did D’Antoni; after all Laker fans get to watch Kobe once again and that is all they could ask while him fades off into retirement in a few years.

Over the last few seasons the Los Angeles Lakers have fallen victim to a massive amount of key injuries that have not only derailed their winning hopes but the hopes of fans as well. It has become something to expect over the last few years where it has take over its own role over the team. From Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and all the other role player injuries that have missed games yet despite this fact the worst injury of them all happened in the season opener against the Rockets.

The Lakers may have gotten Kobe back but lost rookie Julius Randle to a major injury. By Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, via Wikimedia Commons

Seeing his first regular season game in front of the Staples Center crowd, Randle struggled to find his way. He played just 14 minutes and seemed a little nervous. In the fourth quarter of the blowout game, Randle suffered a broken leg and had to be taken off the court on a stretcher as Staples Center went silent. It was like watching Kobe tear his Achilles all over again, except it was for a rookie who had never played a single game in the NBA.

How could this happen? Especially to a player like Randle in his first career NBA game, it’s just unfathomable. The injury to Randle seems like a foreshadowing for things to come — for the Lakers having another bad season. With the injury to Randle, the Lakers will need to look to rely more on Ed Davis, Ryan Kelly, and Carlos Boozer. The only glimpse of hope that Laker fans should enjoy if Randle is indeed out for the season is that their crosstown rival Blake Griffin also missed his entire rookie season and (some could argue) came back stronger because of it.

Injuries and situations like this make you forget about the game and put a sense of perspective into sports. Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt no matter what team you root for, so let’s all hope and pray that Randle comes back stronger because of this and it will then be a bump in the road to success for the young kid. Until then all we can do is wait and say, get well soon Julius. We already miss you!

The NBA western conference is a “whole different animal” compared to the East, and for good reason. Last season, there were nine teams over .500 and one of those teams, Phoenix Suns, were 14 games above .500 and missed the playoffs. Year-in and year-out at least one very deserving Western Conference team missing the playoffs due to the elevated level of talent and play added over the years. As of now, the Larry O’Brien trophy resides in San Antonio and the West looks as if it may be back to its pure dominance that it had over the East during the early 2000’s.

Will this be the season Anthony Davis leads the Pelicans to the playoffs? By Keith Allison (Flickr: Anthony Davis) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

San Antonio Spurs: The defending champs will try to go back-to-back this season but it will be difficult with the opponents they will have to face. They are still the Spurs, though, and I have learned not to count out this team until they are actually done. The Spurs will again be a top contending team in the West and I expect them to make it back to the conference finals if not the finals again.

Los Angeles Clippers: Oh the Clippers. Just when you think they might actually break through, they let you down. A historically bad franchise finally has some hope and light in it and will look to expand upon that again. Their time to win is now as Chris Paul isn’t the youngest point-guard in the league. Adding veterans Jordan Farmar and Spencer Hawes will improve the team but my head still says they will get bounced in the second round again.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Realistically, the Thunder are so young with Durant and Westbrook that it’s scary. One of the best one-two punches we have seen in the recent NBA but they can’t seem to get the job done. Durant is the reigning MVP and needs to break through in the playoffs to be put into the same category as the greats that have won and I look for him and the Thunder to make it back at least to the conference finals again this season.

Portland Trailblazers: If the Trailblazers can stay healthy, they can do some major damage in the Western Conference and they showed a glimpse of what they could do in the postseason. They are a gritty, young team that has an unusual confidence. They look as if they will make another postseason run and you never know what could happen. Watch out for Portland.

Golden State Warriors: No matter what their record is during the season or what seed they get in the postseason, they are as scary a team as any. They can shoot the lights out and maybe having a new coach in Steve Kerr may push this team to their potential. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are the best backcourt in the league and its time for them to prove it in the playoffs.

Houston Rockets: I really liked the pickup of Trevor Ariza after Chandler Parsons left, but the reports that Dwight Howard and James Harden think of themselves as bigger than the team worries me. Even the greats realized they needed help to win and I don’t see the Rockets getting by the second round this season. This offseason could have been epic for Houston, but losing out on Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony was huge.

Memphis Grizzles: Everyone always sleeps on small-market Memphis and I’m not sure why. They were one game away from defeating Oklahoma City in the first round and they played that game seven without Zach Randolph. I believe if he had played, Memphis would have advanced because they were the better team. This offseason, they signed Vince Carter, which will help scoring a little bit unless he turns back into the Toronto version of himself; then watch out NBA

New Orleans Pelicans: I am personally deeming this season the “season of Anthony Davis” assuming he can stay healthy. Davis is an absolute beast and is continuing to grow and learn. I expect the Pelicans to compete for a playoff spot this season and show people that they mean business in this league.

Dallas Mavericks: This team could either be really good or they could not be able to live up to expectations. Monta Ellis had a great season last year but he’s always had some question marks. Dirk is older and we don’t know how effective he can still be. I hope they play to their potential because after adding Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler they could end up being a top team in the West.

Phoenix Suns: So far Eric Bledsoe is still a free agent and they better change that fast; he is too good to not bring back. I just don’t see them contending. They overachieved last season, but I hope they can prove me wrong.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe is finally back and D’Antoni is out — what more could Laker fans want? Byron Scott was a good choice as the Lakers try and figure themselves out. Adding Carlos Boozer, Jeremy Lin, and draft pick Julius Randle will help the Lakers be somewhat relevant and if they can stay healthy they might be able to compete for a first round exit in the playoffs. I don’t doubt the Black Mamba and I think he can lead this team to the playoffs with an early exit. Only time will tell how he and the Lakers play though.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Losing Kevin Love hurts but it needed to be done. Adding Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young will help this team be a little more interesting. Give this team a good three years before they actually start competing on a regular basis.

Every NBA season some surprise teams jump up and contend for the playoffs. In the West those could be the Pelicans, Lakers, and Suns.

It seems that almost every star player in the NBA has been linked to rumors over the last few seasons with many of them in connection with the Los Angeles Lakers. Recently rumors have surfaced that Rajon Rondo wants out of Boston and his frustration is understandable. Historically the Celtics have been one of the best franchises in the NBA but over the last few years they have plummeted down to the bottom of the standings. Ray Allen is gone, Kevin Garnett is gone, and even Paul Pierce is gone.

So, where does that leave Rondo? Why would Rondo want to stay in a rebuilding situation during the prime of his career while he watches other players team up and try to win championships? He knows what championships are about.

Rajon Rondo should trade in his green and white jersey for a purple and gold one. By Rondo_Dunks.jpg: Eric Kilby derivative work: El cestofilo, via Wikimedia Commons

Historically, the Lakers and Celtics would never make a deal sending a star player to one another but they should make an exception for this. Rondo only has one year left on his contract so he is probably leaving anyway and the Celtics could get something back for him at least. On the Laker side of things, they get a star point guard to team with Kobe plus his one-year contract doesn’t affect their cap flexibility plans for future free agencies. Here is the trade I am suggesting for this trade to happen:

Celtics acquire: Steve Nash, Jordan Hill and the first round pick from the Rockets in the Jeremy Lin deal

Lakers acquire: Rajon Rondo, Brandon Bass

Ed. note – You can go to ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine to see if a trade works under the collective bargaining agreement. Hill is not eligible to be traded right now due to just being signed (I think), but you could substitute Jeremy Lin for Hill. Also, not sure how to include draft picks on the trade machine The Lakers wouldn’t need Lin anyway if they got Rondo, amiright?

The Celtics acquire a $9.7 million expiring contract in Steve Nash which will come off the books at the end of the season, get an upgrade from Bass in Jordan Hill, and another first round pick which the Celtics seem to be loading up on.

The Lakers get an athletic point guard which they have longed for and a big man who is a bit undersized, but can post up and shoot from mid range a little.

Both the Lakers and Celtics should think about doing a deal of some sort because in the long run, trading Rondo for the Celtics and the Lakers acquiring him will help both franchises get back to where they belong, competing for an NBA title against each other.

How much can Carlos Boozer actually help the Lakers this season? Photo by By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA, via Wikimedia Commons

This year, the Lakers might be the third-best team in California, but that won’t stop them from being an interesting team to keep tabs on. Owen and Andy go through the roster and try to figure out what reasonable expectations for this team’s roster are and which of their young players with upside might be a candidate to break-out.

Kobe Bean Bryant. He is arguably the second-greatest player ever to step foot onto a basketball court behind Michael Jordan. He also tried to make a comeback from a major Achilles injury during the 2013-2014 season, but was limited to only six games due to a knee injury. Throughout the rehab process, I’ve wondered whether or not Kobe will return to his legendary player status due to the high number of miles of his 35 year old body and now adding in the numerous injuries.

Kobe will look to regain his superstar status come next season. By Keith Allison from Kinston, USA (RO9A3336) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

#24 or the early years of #8?

In the early stages of his career, Kobe showed promise but never could break through. Eventually, he found Shaq and Phil, they figured it out, and the rest is history.

In the six games Kobe played this past season, he looked decent for a guy coming off a major injury. He showed some quickness and jumping ability, just enough to have Laker fans excited about his full return in the 2014-2015 season.

During the 2012-2013 before Kobe suffered his injury at the end of the year, he was having one of his best seasons of his career at age 34 averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. He carried the Lakers as far as he could before suffering the injury, resulting in them making the playoffs only to be swept out in the first round by the Spurs.

Don’t doubt the Mamba

After basically sitting out and entire season, I expect Kobe Bryant to make a full recovery and return to his superstar status in the NBA for his final few seasons. While he might not be the same type of player with his explosiveness, his shooting ability and basketball IQ will serve him very well as his body continues to break-down. While his effectiveness may not be like it was five years ago, he’ll still find a way.

After all, he is the Black Mamba and many people have doubted him before. I, for one, will not start now.

Kobe is a fierce competitor who realizes that he only has a few years left and he will do anything and everything in his power to try and win that sixth ring he has been searching for. For Laker fans and basketball fans all around, just having Kobe back on the court next season will be a grand sight.

Since the Zen Master left, it’s been the same old story line. The same questions. The same answers.

Who is going to take the reins and lead the team in the same type of manner that Phil Jackson had? How can the Lakers win with an aging shooting guard?

Defensive minded Mike Brown tried and failed only to be followed by Mike D’Antoni who was almost just about forced out. Obviously, nobody is going to be Phil or will ever match his historic resume but the Lakers are now searching for a head coach and this time they can’t afford to mess up.

Kobe Bryant only has a few years left to get his 6th ring so the head coaching position is more important than ever for the Lakers. By steve.lanctot (kb_0563cf) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Kobe Bryant only has a few years left in his career and he has made it clear that he wants to compete for a championship this coming season.

Lakers management already lost Phil to the Knicks, so fans and dreamers can stop considering that as a possibility.

Many names have been swirling throughout the media including George Karl, UNC’s Roy Williams, Derek Fisher, Lionel Hollins, Byron Scott and more but there are really only a few names that actually make sense for the direction the Lakers are headed.

What the Lakers need in order to bring them back to the glory that they have been used to is a coach who understands what it takes to win as a Laker. No more of these coaches who achieved success simply because of a system or a star player.

I think Byron Scott would be the right choice to at this juncture. Scott understands what it takes to be a Laker and what it takes to win in Los Angeles. He helped them win three titles in the 1980s and also has coaching experience in the NBA Finals, taking the Nets to the Finals in back-to-back years (2002,2003). He has also shown the ability to handle star players such as Jason Kidd and Chris Paul during his tenure in New Orleans.

Make it happen Mitch

Byron Scott makes perfect sense for the Lakers and hopefully management sees it that way as well. Kobe Bryant has endorsed Scott which is huge. Kobe didn’t have any say in the hiring of Brown or D’Antoni, and look how that turned out for the Lakers. The Lakers need a leader in this awkward time. I think Scott is their guy.

Ever since Mike D’Antoni took the job to become the Lakers head coach, people have been calling for his job. He just  isn’t Phil Jackson which is the high standard that the Laker fans and organization have for their signal caller. To D’Antoni’s credit he dealt all season with numerous injuries and lack of chemistry and still got his players to play at a high energy level most of the time.

In Lakerland though, that isn’t enough, no matter who has the jersey on. D’Antoni is the perfect coach for a team like the Bucks or Magic — teams where there isn’t much pressure to win and if you do win a little bit then you are idolized. He’s a good coach but has been exposed by the NBA since his days with the Suns, when he had a young Steve Nash to play with.

He never was the right coach for the Lakers. The best move for the team to do to move forward would be to fire D’Antoni now and start fresh. The Lakers are in a rare rebuilding time, though not everyone feels that way. Kobe Bryant wants to win now so firing D’Antoni makes the most sense.

S*** season. Flush it. Forget it #amnesia Next Season will be epic #blackout #bussfam

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 16, 2014

I admit that I have called for his job on many occasions throughout his brief tenure with the Lakers and I still would like to see him be fired but I respect what he has been able to accomplish with so little as well. What else would I like to see?

1. Fire Mike D’Antoni and show that losing no matter the circumstances still is not acceptable

2. Hire a coach like Kurt Rambis or Byron Scott, someone who knows what it is like and what it takes to win as a Laker. Plus they both have some previous coaching experience.

3. I am guessing but I expect the Lakers to end up with up somewhere in the #4-6 pick in the draft, so take Julius Randle from Kentucky assuming he declares and is available at that spot. Randle has an NBA-ready body and skillset. He reminds me of a Zach Randolph-type player who would help the Lakers for years to come.

4 a. Sign Luol Deng (10M), Elton Brand (3M).

4 b. Re-sign Pau Gasol (7M), Jodie Meeks(5M), Nick Young(3M), Kent Bazemore(2M), Ryan Kelly(1M), Jordan Farmar(2M), and Jordan Hill (5M)

Projected Depth Chart:

Nash/Farmar/Marshall

Kobe/Meeks/Bazemore

Deng/Young/Bazemore

Randle/Brand/Kelly

Gasol/Hill

Go into battle with this team, hopefully make a run at the playoffs and prepare for a 2015 offseason where Kevin Love could end up putting on the famous purple and gold uniform.

Ed. note — We’re getting into an area with these next few that turns some people off — assumptions that guys want to sign and that we know exactly what a guy’s market value is. Bear with us. This is a fun thing for fans to do sometimes, so we don’t have a problem doing it here. If you think we’re wrong about something in particular, comment below.

Every NBA offseason it seems that at least one star player changes teams and the 2014 offseason shouldn’t be any different. While not technically being free agents, many people expect Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James to opt out of their current deals and perusing other options. Like a lot of people, I expect LeBron to stay with the Miami Heat regardless whether or not they three-peat as champions. Carmelo on the other hand may have other ideas than to stay with the New York Knicks past this season.

Many Laker fans are hoping Carmelo brings his talents across the country this coming offseason. By Keith Allison, via Wikimedia Commons

Carmelo has said that what has happened this season disgusts him and seems to be very disappointed. The latest news in the Knicks season is that they have signed the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson, to a position with the team overseeing basketball operations. Some think this is a ploy by the Knicks in order to persuade Carmelo to stay in New York rather than leave. But, the question remains, what should Carmelo Anthony do this coming off-season, assuming he opts out of his contract?

Many teams have been linked to Carmelo but the two teams with the best chance of landing the star are probably the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, with the Bulls being the best option.

Chicago already has pieces on their team that could piece together to be a championship team and adding a scorer like Carmelo could enhance their offense. If — and it’s a BIG if — Derrick Rose could just stay healthy, he and Carmelo could become a dynamic duo in the NBA for years. Anthony would fit-in perfectly with the Bulls as their starting small forward, but in order to make that happen the Bulls would need to make some costly but necessary cuts. Also there is a question of whether Carmelo is ready to step into the house that Michael built and lead the Bulls back to glory? I’m not so sure that he is ready for that despite him being in the league for over ten years now.

Another team that Carmelo could land with is the Lakers, which would make the 2014 season hugely intriguing. The Lakers season has fallen so flat this season. Teaming Carmelo up with Kobe Bryant along with their supposed lottery pick for Bryant’s’ last run at a sixth title could be very successful. Kobe and Carmelo are friends with much respect for one another and that has proven to be successful in this league in places like Miami and Boston. While Kobe and Carmelo are not James and Wade, the duo could turn out to be a scary scoring duo for opposing teams.

Like most off-seasons, this one promises to be entertaining. Even with the addition of Phil Jackson, I believe that Carmelo Anthony is as good as gone from the Knicks. If I have to predict where he would land as of right now, I would say the Lakers. It makes sense for both the Lakers and Carmelo; plus it will give Kobe a successor to hand the team over to once he finally retires. While I’m not sure it would be the best thing for the team in the long-term, I expect to see Carmelo be the next star to don the famous purple and gold jersey come next season.

Even before Dwight Howard joined the Lakers many fans and members of the media looked to the 2014 off-season as a chance for the purple and gold to make a splash and start focusing their personnel moves on their post-Kobe Bryant days. Going into the 2013-2014 season with absolutely no hope of a championship, the Lakers stuck to their “plan” by signing a large majority of their roster to 1-year contracts to preserve the cap space they would enjoy the following offseason. Once the 2014 offseason hits, the Lakers will only have three players on their salary cap giving them flexibility to do what they want. But the real question is, what should the Lakers do with all that cap space?

If the front office is patient and handles the 2014 off-season correctly, it may only be a few seasons until the Lakers return to the White House. By Lawrence Jackson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

My plan would be to save the cap space, despite how Kobe Bryant might feel about it, and save it for the 2015 and 2016 off seasons in order to more-thoroughly return the team to its rightful place atop the NBA. First off, the Lakers will be getting a top pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, which is linked to being one of the deepest drafts in recent memory and might eventually be compared to the historic 2003 draft (we hope Jerry West was wrong). So they will more than likely get a young star in the making to put alongside Kobe for the 2014-2015 season. Once the following offseason starts, however, the fun begins. Such players as Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol will be free agents come 2015 and many expect the Lakers to snag Love, who played at UCLA, from Minnesota.

Wait another offseason, which could mean post-Kobe, and the 2016 free agent class is even better. With such players scheduled to become free agents as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard and others, the Lakers could put themselves in position to return to championship contention within a few seasons simply by being patient in free agency for a few years. The two names most heavily linked to the purple and gold are Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, which matched together, could be a deadly combination for opponents.

As for the fans, we might need to bite the bullet on next season as well in order to potentially celebrate another title a few seasons later. Those of us in the seats as well as the Lakers front office should realize that. The one problem is that the pressure of an impending Kobe Bryant retirement may put the Lakers in an awkward situation and they may push the panic button and sign a player like Carmelo Anthony this offseason. Nothing against Carmelo — he is a great player — but the best thing for the Lakers future would be to wait for now and use the cap space in future off-seasons.