Predicting the final records of each NBA team
By Brad Rowland
Los Angeles Lakers
I’m sorry, Kobe.
Kobe Bryant is now 36 years old, and if you were somehow under a rock last season, you may have forgotten that the “Black Mamba” appeared in only 6 games as a result of injuries to his Achilles and knee. It is very difficult to project what Bryant is capable of when healthy at this point, but in discussing his status, he is healthy at this point in time, and could be very effective, especially on the offensive end.
Unfortunately, it does not matter.
Short of a return to his prime (which isn’t going to happen at age-36), there is nothing that Kobe can do with a roster that is the worst in the Western Conference. The primary scoring option alongside Bryant, shooting guard Nick Young, is already on the shelf for eight weeks as a result of thumb surgery, but when Nick Young is your second option, things have gone horribly wrong.
There is actually some talent in the frontcourt, with Jordan Hill, Carlos Boozer (!) and Ed Davis playing alongside 2014 lottery pick Julius Randle. However, the Lakers should be deplorable defensively with that group up front, and even if Hill is active and effective, there is no depth behind him at the center position, with Robert Sacre as the primary backup.
It isn’t as if the Lakers are deep in the backcourt, either, as Steve Nash (at 40 years old) is the projected starter at the point guard spot. Los Angeles did acquire Jeremy Lin in the off-season, and he’s just fine as a third guard, but should anything happen to Bryant, the rest of the guard rotation is suspect at best with rookie Jordan Clarkson, Wayne Ellington and Xavier Henry available.
The Lakers will likely deploy an opening night lineup of Jordan Hill, Carlos Boozer, Wesley Johnson (!), Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.
In related news, the Lakers are going to be very bad at basketball this season.
Projected Record: 25-57, 15th in West