Perhaps the biggest question for the Los Angeles Lakers as they enter the 2014-2015 season is: are they a playoff team? According to Thomas Johnson of Washington Post, the Laker's 27-win total last season was the fewest in franchise history since the1959-60 season. Indeed, it was a painful year to watch for every Laker fan in the world especially with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash sidelined with injuries for a huge chunk of the season.
But 'The Black Mamba' is back in full health and although the team lost an integral piece this offseason in Pau Gasol, they were able to bring in Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis for a bargain price. They were also able to acquire Jeremy Lin after the Houston Rockets scrambled to dump contracts to make room for a Super Star which eventually didn't come. They also have this year's No.7 overall pick in Julius Randle.
When Lakers General Manager Mitchell "Mitch" Kupchak was asked by Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters if the Lakers are a playoff team, his simple response was "I think we could be".
Newly hired head coach Byron Scott also sounded optimistic in his introductory news conference. He had this to say to reporters via NBC Sports:
"This organization is all about championships. Period. We don't look at Western Conference finals, Western Conference championships. We look at championships."
But realistically speaking, the Lakers don't look like the championship contenders that they have consistently been for the last decade or so in the NBA. Kobe Bryant remains one of the best players today and to have ever played basketball but his already 35 years old and has declined slightly through the years. Steve Nash is also just a shell of his former self during his MVP seasons with the Phoenix Suns and could be in for another injury plagued season at 40 years old. The Lakers 19 year Julius Randle is an unproven prospect and Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer are outcasts from their respective teams.
Yet, if there is any team that has the right to feel optimistic about the future, its the Lakers. They are a very creative and resourceful franchise and have always showed time and time again that they can always find a way to get back into contention even though things have been looking bleak.
And if Bryant continues to remain healthy for the rest of the season and the entire team buys into Head Coach Byron Scott's mantra of defense, who knows how far the Lakers can go next season in the very tough Western Conference.
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