A second consecutive Western Conference semi-finals drubbing has many wondering if this is the end of the line for these Los Angeles Lakers. Are the Lakers done? Kobe? What can the Lakers do going forward?
In his post-game interview, Kobe Bryant said about his team: “we’re not going anywhere.”
His optimism is encouraging, but the reality is that the Lakers really aren’t going anywhere, and not in a good way. For the second straight year, the Lakers met an opponent in the 2nd round and L.A. was outplayed.
Phil Jackson. Mike Brown. Whatever you think about the coaching situation, the Lakers got drubbed out of the playoffs 4-0 against the Dallas Mavericks, last year, and 4-1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. The Lakers looked just as lost and dumbfounded when the Thunder took control (late in games) as they did when the Mavs were busting endless three’s on them.
For the second straight postseason, Pau Gasol underperformed. Over his career, Gasol has been a fantastic and consistent 18 and 9 player. But, he has had two poor playoff performances in a row—very unlike him. With Gasol it’s likely a mental thing. If he can get his confidence right, maybe more touches within the flow of the offense and a ‘green light,’ he should be fine. He’s 31. He could be declining, but his strong regular season, 17 ppg and 10 rpg, points to something else.
In the playoffs, Gasol did not show up offensively, but his rebounds were good and his defense was excellent. Overall, Gasol had one great game, the closeout game against the Denver Nuggets, where Gasol had 23 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks. Overall, Gasol gave the Lakers 12.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, and 2 bpg. In 12 games, Gasol showed up once.
Gasol’s got to go. If the Lakers are “going anywhere.”
Gasol’s frontcourt teammate Andrew Bynum had his first good showing in the playoffs. With only two average games, their first and last games, Bynum looked like he was starting to figure out how to play big in big games and big moments. In the playoffs, Bynum put up a strong: 16.7 ppg, 11.1 rpg, and 3.1 bpg. So, either Bynum is staying or he has made himself a more valuable trading chip. I could go either way on Bynum—his health always seems like an issue.
Now, as for Kobe Bryant, those who think “he’s done” and too old are right in one respect. He will turn 34 in August. But, Bryant was second in scoring—in the closest scoring race on record—, continued scoring 30.0 ppg in the playoffs, and finished his last game of the season with 42 points (no assists) shooting a blistering 54%. By all accounts, Bryant wants to finish his career as a Laker, so don’t plan on seeing him in another jersey. And, especially given all the vicious throw-downs Bryant had in the last game, Kobe more than proved that he still has something left in the tank.
One of Kobe’s Best Dunks of the Game:
Ramon Sessions has the player-option, and given that he never tasted the playoffs before coming to L.A., and that Coach Brown basically gave him the reigns to one of the most valuable franchises in the NBA, I figure he will pick up the option and stay. This means that Sessions is going to have to grow and learn from this experience, as they all will, but Sessions, especially. Among other things, Sessions needs to be more like Chris Paul, and less like Russell Westbrook. Get your shot when it’s there—and push the break every time—, but make sure to get everybody involved.
There are a few players whose contracts are up, like Matt Barnes and Jordan Hill, both of whom the Lakers should re-sign because they help bolster their already thin bench.
Even if the Lakers use their trade exception and amnesty wisely, L.A. is going to have make a trade(s) if they want to contend in the Western Conference playoffs. When asked if this was it for the Lakers, Kobe Bryant responded: “I’m not going for that s***!” We’ll see what management can do to back Bryant up.
Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
