Endangered species! That’s what the losing Los Angeles Lakers have looked like this season.
Right now it looks like the only team they can possibly beat is the even more lowly and tanking Philadelphia 76ers…and who knows who will be number one in this Summers draft stakes.
What a season it has been. In the twilight of his classic career, Kobe Bryant has been out for another season with injury. Joining one of the greatest Point Guards of all-time Steve Nash, who had to call his career even earlier due to extensive, excruciating joint and nerve damage. Add Wayne Ellington’s season ending injury to what is probably Nick Young’s one and legendary trainer Gary Vitti’s table couldn’t make it up. The Lakers have lost their swag in more ways than one.
It all started on the opening day of the season when top rookie and future franchise face, big-man Julius Randle went down with an injury, breaking his leg and season. On the mend and speaking with fans via social-media in good spirits, thankfully this guy will be joined by another future star, top rookie next year.
‘Suiting Up Together’ is the hash tag trend and tide for this raw but ready Lakers squad of young and old, that features great guns like Wesley Johnson and valuable vets like Carlos Boozer. Still it’s all being brought together and led from the unlikeliest of places. A sleeper in the second round, after a stellar Summer league, Laker fans where calling the name and time of their new Point Guard. When your futures headed by the name Jordan you know things are going to be special…and Clarkson is exactly that.
Still it took injuries from fellow rookie Randle and Point Guard Nash and everybody else for Clarkson to finally get his shot from Scott, much like his old friend (more on that in a minute). But now he has former Showtime star and coach Byron Scott believes this kid could be an All-Star one day.
A diamond in the rough, the Lakers had to go through hell for this slice of hoops heaven. A guy putting up big numbers in the Eddie Jones vest that belie his averages. Nearing career highs and triple doubles like its going to happen in the next game. All whilst setting up the table for his teammates with a fantastic feast that even saw him hold his own against Chef Curry of the new California king, Golden State Warriors.
Clarkson is a top rookie this year, who may not be at the standard of Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins or Philly Sixer Nerlens Noel, but may have been if set off from the start of the season, making all sorts of points. Now after giving him a hand, it’s time the Lakers gave him some help and they did that in re-signing another one of their rooks.
One who at the end of last Summer was released into the free agent wild…and didn’t look like he would find his way out of the jungle until everyone else was poached. Yep fellow Missouri Tiger, Jabari Brown may not be Jabari Parker, but joining his fellow, former college alumnus once again has been a “blessing” for Clarkson, a man who has blessed the Lakers.
From the backcourt to the frontrunners these running mates are leading the break once again as the Lakers new, young, dynamic duo of the future. After a spate of those old 10 dayers and some time with the affiliate Los Angeles D-Fenders, leading the D-League in scoring, Brown is now inking his rep back with the Lakers like his strong armed dunks. Bringing the whole of hometown Cali’ back to Staples, Oakland is definitely in the house.
For J.C. and J.B. those old glory days of yesterday are back with this youth in exuberant revolt. From Mizzou to Lakerland and black and yellow to purple and gold like Wiz Khalifia, these two ‘Show Me State’ stars are bringing Showtime back to Hollywood.
Tiger style!
