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:
Pacquiao’s Legacy in Motion: PacMan contra El Azteca
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Blu Girls Crush Singapore 13-0, Set Sights on China in Asia Cup Showdown
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Laylo, Dableo to play in Baguio Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Pacquiao Shines in Final Press Conference: Can The Pacman Defeat Father Time and Barrios? (Analysis & Prediction)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 17 Jul 2025More lucrative fights await Manny Pacquiao
By Leo Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Rumors about Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 17 Jul 2025Tapales, Laurente to help Inoue against MJ
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 2025AL BERNSTEIN, CHRISTY MARTIN AND ERIC BOTTJER TO SERVE AS ALL-STAR COMMENTARY TEAM FOR THIS FRIDAY’S ‘LOPEZ VS. VARGAS’ EVENT
Thu, 17 Jul 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS CONGRATULATES SUBRIEL MATIAS ON BECOMING THE WBC SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Thu, 17 Jul 2025Gaisano Grand Cup Season 20 opens August 3
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 17 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 17 Jul 2025HALL OF FAMER MANNY PACQUIAO SET TO CHASE HISTORY YET AGAIN THIS SATURDAY NIGHT IN WORLD TITLE FIGHT AGAINST MARIO BARRIOS
Wed, 16 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: New York, a Special Place for Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua talking for a possible fight?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Philippines Rolls Past Pacific Oceania in Davis Cup Group IV Opener as Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors Set the Pace
Wed, 16 Jul 2025