ducks
04-21-2005, 03:33 PM
Lakers complete one of worst seasons everLakers complete one of worst seasons ever
By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer
April 21, 2005
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- One of the ugliest seasons in the Los Angeles Lakers' 57-year history has come to a merciful conclusion.
While 16 other teams compete in the postseason, the Lakers are on the sidelines, having failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1994 and the fifth time overall.
Instead of trying to win another championship, their priority now is finding a coach. Phil Jackson, who left last June after five seasons on the job, could be the man. Of course, he might not be interested since the Lakers don't appear to have what it takes to win a title anytime soon. If Jackson is interested, his asking price might be too high.
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Jackson, who has won an NBA record-tying nine championships, hasn't said he wants to coach next season. If he does, the Lakers might have the inside track since his girlfriend is Jeanie Buss, a Lakers executive and the daughter of team owner Jerry Buss.
Jeanie has made her sentiments known, saying publicly she hopes her man returns.
The Lakers, finishing the season on a six-game losing streak, became the seventh team to reach the NBA Finals one year and miss the playoffs the next.
``This season is a step,'' Lakers star Kobe Bryant said following a season-ending 106-103 loss at Portland. ``It seems like a very small step, but it's a step.''
The Lakers' 34-48 record was their third-worst since they moved to Los Angeles in 1960, and they finished behind the Clippers for only the third time in the last 27 years.
``We changed this team around and lost a very good nucleus, a team that had been in the Finals four of the last five years,'' said Frank Hamblen, promoted from assistant to head coach when Rudy Tomjanovich resigned suddenly Feb. 2, citing health concerns.
``I don't think we'd have been a team that would have won 50 games, if healthy,'' Hamblen said. ``But if healthy, I think we could have competed for a playoff spot.''
The Lakers were in contention until losing 19 of their last 21 games.
``The Lakers are one of the best organizations in the world,'' said Chucky Atkins, the only Laker to play in all 82 games. ``Dr. Buss will get us some players and we'll turn this around.''
That won't be easy, no matter who's coaching. The Lakers have very little salary cap room, and 12 of the 15 players on this year's roster are under contract for next season, including reserve Brian Grant, owed $29.7 million over the next two years.
The downhill trek began right after last season, when the team and Jackson went their separate ways and Shaquille O'Neal demanded a trade. The Lakers acquiesced, sending the NBA's dominant big man to Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Grant.
Bryant returned, signing a seven-year, $136.4 million contract. But the roster had too many small forwards, minimal inside presence and was awful defensively, allowing the opposition to score 100 or more points 49 times. That happened 29 times last season.
The Lakers had an 18-15 record before Bryant sprained his right ankle against Cleveland on Jan. 13 -- an injury that caused him to miss 14 games.
They were 24-19 when Tomjanovich resigned.
Odom didn't play after injuring his left shoulder March 18 at Indiana. The Lakers won only two games after that.
``Things could have been different if we didn't have the injuries to me and Caron and Lamar and Vlade (Divac) and others, and some of the other changes,'' Bryant said.
To replace O'Neal, the Lakers signed Divac, but back problems limited him to 15 games.
Divac is under contract for $5.4 million next season; the Lakers can buy him out for $2 million. Otherwise, they have very little flexibility.
Bryant and Devean George were the only holdovers from the championship teams of 2000-2002, and 10 newcomers saw action. George missed the first 67 games recovering from ankle surgery, finally returning March 24.
``It was a difficult season for everybody,'' Bryant said. ``We should have a lot of confidence, us as players, and the fans, that things can turn around quickly. Hopefully next season.''
By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer
April 21, 2005
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- One of the ugliest seasons in the Los Angeles Lakers' 57-year history has come to a merciful conclusion.
While 16 other teams compete in the postseason, the Lakers are on the sidelines, having failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1994 and the fifth time overall.
Instead of trying to win another championship, their priority now is finding a coach. Phil Jackson, who left last June after five seasons on the job, could be the man. Of course, he might not be interested since the Lakers don't appear to have what it takes to win a title anytime soon. If Jackson is interested, his asking price might be too high.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jackson, who has won an NBA record-tying nine championships, hasn't said he wants to coach next season. If he does, the Lakers might have the inside track since his girlfriend is Jeanie Buss, a Lakers executive and the daughter of team owner Jerry Buss.
Jeanie has made her sentiments known, saying publicly she hopes her man returns.
The Lakers, finishing the season on a six-game losing streak, became the seventh team to reach the NBA Finals one year and miss the playoffs the next.
``This season is a step,'' Lakers star Kobe Bryant said following a season-ending 106-103 loss at Portland. ``It seems like a very small step, but it's a step.''
The Lakers' 34-48 record was their third-worst since they moved to Los Angeles in 1960, and they finished behind the Clippers for only the third time in the last 27 years.
``We changed this team around and lost a very good nucleus, a team that had been in the Finals four of the last five years,'' said Frank Hamblen, promoted from assistant to head coach when Rudy Tomjanovich resigned suddenly Feb. 2, citing health concerns.
``I don't think we'd have been a team that would have won 50 games, if healthy,'' Hamblen said. ``But if healthy, I think we could have competed for a playoff spot.''
The Lakers were in contention until losing 19 of their last 21 games.
``The Lakers are one of the best organizations in the world,'' said Chucky Atkins, the only Laker to play in all 82 games. ``Dr. Buss will get us some players and we'll turn this around.''
That won't be easy, no matter who's coaching. The Lakers have very little salary cap room, and 12 of the 15 players on this year's roster are under contract for next season, including reserve Brian Grant, owed $29.7 million over the next two years.
The downhill trek began right after last season, when the team and Jackson went their separate ways and Shaquille O'Neal demanded a trade. The Lakers acquiesced, sending the NBA's dominant big man to Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Grant.
Bryant returned, signing a seven-year, $136.4 million contract. But the roster had too many small forwards, minimal inside presence and was awful defensively, allowing the opposition to score 100 or more points 49 times. That happened 29 times last season.
The Lakers had an 18-15 record before Bryant sprained his right ankle against Cleveland on Jan. 13 -- an injury that caused him to miss 14 games.
They were 24-19 when Tomjanovich resigned.
Odom didn't play after injuring his left shoulder March 18 at Indiana. The Lakers won only two games after that.
``Things could have been different if we didn't have the injuries to me and Caron and Lamar and Vlade (Divac) and others, and some of the other changes,'' Bryant said.
To replace O'Neal, the Lakers signed Divac, but back problems limited him to 15 games.
Divac is under contract for $5.4 million next season; the Lakers can buy him out for $2 million. Otherwise, they have very little flexibility.
Bryant and Devean George were the only holdovers from the championship teams of 2000-2002, and 10 newcomers saw action. George missed the first 67 games recovering from ankle surgery, finally returning March 24.
``It was a difficult season for everybody,'' Bryant said. ``We should have a lot of confidence, us as players, and the fans, that things can turn around quickly. Hopefully next season.''