16 Time Champions in Trouble by Marilyn Galan-Albarran

Lakers have been the NBA champions 16 times since 1949 but this season isn’t starting strong. The Lakers are well known for their strong plays and excellent skills. However, in this 2014-15 season, it is not what it was expected. Every season, the Lakers come strong striving toward the Playoffs, putting their best in every game, but not this year.

So far the Lakers have had great defense and offence but since there has been many changes throughout the years and this caused the team to grow unstable. When Pau Gasol was introduced to the team in 2007, he and Kobe Bryant worked well to bring up the team. Since the departure of Gasol as well as many other players and the incorporation of other players, the team has been losing its ground unable to fully understand how each player plays.

            The only player that has played for the Lakers throughout his entire career since high school, has been Kobe Bryant, he is the most important player on the team. But Kobe will not be playing for the Lakers forever, and it is apparent that the Lakers will not survive without Bryant. Yet the Lakers have a win to loss ratio of 2-9 so far. This ratio is very shocking for the high standard team that it used to be. It is clear that this season, the playoffs are not within their reach and not something to look forward to.

Currently the Lakers are ranked 15 within the Western Conference. Something which is not to be proud of. However, in the Pacific Division, the Lakers fall right under their rival, the Phoenix Suns. The Suns, with a win to loss ratio of 6-5, have a better chance of maybe assisting the Playoffs.  Only 5 times out of the 62 year history of the Lakers had the team made the playoffs. The Lakers lost their first match to the Suns in 2006-07. With great history and competitive rivalry, it is clear that the Lakers are not in great condition this year because they fall under the Suns in ranking, and the Suns have not been a tough team for many years.

The team can greatly use some improvements. For example, focusing on the players’ agility, skills and communication.  The major current problem is the defense, which is very weak and is causing the team to acquire many losses.  Throughout the games, most of the shots made are made by Kobe Bryant and if any other player acquires shots, they are from below the three point line.  This demonstrates the little capability these new players have in being able to shoot anywhere around the three point line.

Also, the players lack defensive skills which are vital to accomplish plays. During games, when the opposing team has the ball, the young new Laker players just reach up straight, not actually defending, basically just standing in front of his opponent. For example player number 17, gets passed the ball and passes it back to any player and just walks. He is young, and many of these young players lack knowledge on how to play the game.

As this season continues, one can expect additional losses by the Champions. There is no further evidence to prove that the Lakers lack focus and expertise in the sport of basketball this year. The only exception is Kobe Bryant, who has not given up on the team. He continues to score with or without the help of his team mates. This shows an example for the young teens on the team to wake up and focus on the game and get that win in every game. In the game of November 19^th 2014, the Lakers achieved a win against the Rockets 98-92, with much effort and dedication. Although it was not a very prepared game of plays they somehow pulled it off. This was great however, a team should never get their hopes up because this can result in shame if they lose their next game. This elaboration should really wake up the team because they are not looking good in front of the public and especially towards their fans. Like Kobe said, “The fan buys a ticket to see the show, and you gotta give them that show no matter what.”

The G.O.A.T. by Francisco Hernandez

The G.O.A.T., the Greatest Of All Time. When one thinks of the greatest player to ever touch a basketball many names pop up. Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Pistol Pete, Isaiah Thomas, Gary Payton, Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Shaq, Julius “The Doctor” Erving, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain, and maybe none more mentioned than Michael Jordan. There are so many more players that are deserving of the title “The G.O.A.T.”, but those are some to name a few, but I believe that there is one player that could become “The G.O.A.T.” That player I believe could be none other than LeBron James. Before all the Kobe and KD fans groan, sigh, roll their eyes, and think I’m dumb, let me explain why. LeBron from what I have witnessed and seen in the past is the best all-around player to ever play the game. He can shoot; drive, pass, play defense, and most importantly lead.

LeBron has developed a pretty decent Jump shot, as said in sports science, LeBron last year had a better catch and shoot percentage than Ray Allen, in my opinion one of the greatest shooters of all time.  LeBron had a career best field goal percentage last year as well, and as proven in game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals LeBron only shot Jump shots against the San Antonio Spurs not one field goal in the paint. LeBron has also hit various game winning shots like in the game where Miami had a tough game against a very good Golden State Warriors team, where LeBron hit the game winning three pointer over Andre Iguodala, one of the top small forwards in the league. He also hit the game winning lay-up against the Indiana Pacers over Paul George, another top small forward in the league.

            I believe currently, when LeBron has the “hot hand” going into a game, no one can guard him. I believe that it does not matter if you put Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Paul George, Michael Jordan, no one can guard him. LeBron is so quick as well that not even player much stronger and bigger than him can guard him. LeBron is also physically imposing standing at 6’8’’ about 250 pounds, the players that are fast enough to keep up with him, can’t guard him as well due to that he can blow right past them.  As also stated in sports science LeBron can get across a whole NBA court in 9 strides where as for the average NBA player it takes 12. LeBron can jump really high too; he averages 6.6 rebounds per game, and as also said in sports science, he can get up higher than a normal NBA center making his rebound chances higher.

            I think the one attribute that LeBron has out of his many that separates him for the other athletes, is his defense. No one in NBA his has been able to guard every position from point guard to center like LeBron can. LeBron is quick enough guard point guards, shooting guards, and the athletic small forwards. Though he is quick he is big and strong enough to guard power forwards and centers. Not even Jordan, or Kobe, or any other player, and certainly not KD can guard all five positions. This is the attribute that makes me believe that LeBron has the potential of becoming the Greatest Of All Time. Even though LeBron shoots a very high percentage, and puts up more than 25 points per game, he is incredibly unselfish. I’ve seen LeBron pass up shots he can totally make to players that can get an easier shot and keep everyone involved. As he said many times he tries to look for the best play regardless if it involves him scoring or someone else. His career averages are 6.1 assist per game, that’s a lot for a player in his position whose focus is to rebound and score. The average small forward averages about 3 assists per game, and LeBron averages more than double the average.

            LeBron has another great ability which is to lead. As seen in the games he played with the Miami Heat. Ever since the Big Three formed, which consisted of the players Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and of course LeBron James, The Heat were the team to beat. Everyone wanted to beat the Heat, and during the Big Three Era, he led the Heat to 4 straight NBA Finals appearances, and out of those four he led the Heat to 2 NBA Championships. Then with the young Cavaliers group he is currently with, he is seen coaching players, yelling out plays from the bench. What I also respect about LeBron is that he is incredibly humble. In his Facebook page you see the charity events he holds for kids and families in Akron Ohio, LeBron’s hometown. In his Facebook page or social media one doesn’t find photos of him partying, drinking beer, etc. I believe he is a great role model for kids as he was and still is for me.

            LeBron to me has the potential to be the G.O.A.T. I believe that if he leads this young Cavaliers team to at least one NBA Championship, the first for his hometown, I believe it will establish himself as the G.O.A.T.  Many would argue the G.O.A.T. is Kobe, or Jordan, or even Kevin Durant. I think we should just stop arguing about whose best and just appreciate all the talent of the League and all the great moments that witnessed in the past and in the present and look forward to the future. Although if the moment comes that one discusses whose the G.O.A.T. then LeBron is the dude I’m rolling with.