| |
|
NBA -- Silver linings in the purple-and-gold's gloomy season
By Nicholai R. Roska
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Apr 2015
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers' franchise-worst regular season ended the way it began --- with a loss. This time, it was a 23-point beating at the hands of the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
The 122-99 defeat was the Lakers' 61st of the season, the most ever in the history of the storied franchise.
Instead of their usual place in the playoffs, Kobe Bryant and the wounded Lakers are headed off to an early vacation.
Despite the this temporary fall from grace, the Lakers had several bright spots, most prominently the rise of rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson, who shrugged off a slow start to average 16.9 points and 3.5 assists per game in 59 outings.
And though the losses kept piling up, the Lakers faithful kept showing up at Staples Center, making them among the top 10 in the league in attendance.
On Wednesday's game alone, the Lakers drew a fat crowd of 18,997.
Looking over their shoulders with the success of the other Los Angeles team -- the Clippers -- the Lakers are ferociously intent on rebuilding, a path that includes opening a Laker-owned facility in 2016.
Cresting at the bottom 5 of the NBA standings doesn't necessarily mean the world comes to an end for the decorated Lakers. It just means there is hope in their future. It also means they could have the top 5 pick in the upcoming NBA, which means a healthy Julius Randle and a rising Clarkson could be the core of the next generation of Showtime performers.
And lastly, it could mean that what is expected to be Kobe Bryant's last season could be a magical rise.
The 2015-16 season is a good few months away. Can't hardly wait.
Photo: Jordan Clarkson provided some bright spots in the Lakers' gloomy 2014-15 campaign.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Set for All-Ohio World Title Clash Saturday LIVE on TNT & DAZN
, Fri, 03 Jul 2026Dologuin Fights Alsayyad: Flyweight Showdown Today in Australia
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026Enano to fight for IBO Oceania featherweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026IM Garcia captures National Open chess title
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 03 Jul 2026Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown
, Thu, 02 Jul 2026Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
, Thu, 02 Jul 2026Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
, Wed, 01 Jul 2026HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Wed, 01 Jul 2026KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
, Tue, 30 Jun 2026Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11
, Tue, 30 Jun 2026World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 202612-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October
, Mon, 29 Jun 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
