Lakers Basketball Franchise

Yelling “KOBE” while throwing a crumpled paper ball into the trashcan is something every sports fan in the world have done at one point of their life. After winning five time NBA championships, voted two time NBA Final MVP, two time scoring champion, his accomplishments speaks for his greatness, and that is Kobe Bryant. Bryant is now a retired professional basketball player who played in Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years. Throughout his remarkable career, Bryant developed a heroic figure as he pursued Michael Jordan’s footsteps and overcoming him toward the end of his career. He is considered a hero because he has the trait of being determined, fearless, and inspirational.

Elgin Baylor, drafted the same year as Wilt Chamberlain, can be accredited for having the most hands on approach of fighting racial issues and prejudices in the league. While Bill Russell made change by winning, Wilt Chamberlain with his superior talent, Elgin Baylor made change with his resiliency and star power. Baylor’s road to the NBA began during one of his college games for Seattle University. John Kundla, The Los Angeles Lakers head coach, was attending the game with the purpose of scouting players for his struggling team. While watching the game, Kundla took notice of Elgin Baylor and his ability to effortlessly score the ball. John Kundla wrote in his scouting report that Elgin Baylor was ‘By far the best player,’ From that point on Elgin had his future set as the Lakers continued to keep tabs on him the rest of his college career and were determined to draft him.

Once upon a time in Chino Hills, California there was a family full of ballers coincedently owning the last name Ball. The three kids, Lonzo, Liangelo, and Lamelo were each magical on the court, and when you got them on the court together it was like poetry in motion. The way the brothers dished the ball amongst themselves, almost appearing as if they knew each other's very next move, was truly a pleasure to the eyes. As the boys continued to tear up their competition in a high scoring and fast-paced manner, their notoriety and fame continued to grow. It was very clear that the Ball boys were on a path of stardom.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, this off-season may have been a bit underwhelming, but they still brought in quality free agents. After "missing out," on LeMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan, the Lakers were forced to look into the second tier talents. According to some reports, the meetings the Lakers executives held with the big name free agents focused little on basketball, and instead focusing more on the "Hollywood Lifestyle."

He was drafted in 1996 by the Hornets but the Lakers decided to take a shot with the rookie ( Britannica.com). This made him the youngest player to play in the NBA at the time, an impressive feat on its own (CNN.com). Kobe’s athleticism and young legs proved to be a lethal tool on the court, his first season was so good that he caught the attention of many analysts. His early prominence lead to his being elected for the NBA all star game his rookie year (Britannica.com). It was at this time another legend joined the Lakers, Shaquille O’neal. It was at this point the team earned the nickname “Showtime Lakers.” Kobes talent and Shaq’s raw size made their games a complete circus for games to watch. The young point guard would dazzle an opponent with an array of moves then throw the ball through the air to his counterpart who would barely have to jump to slam the ball into the rim over his opponent. Lakers fans became so obsessed with the team, that even celebrities would pay outrageous amounts to sit as far as thirty row away from the bench (ESPN.com) It was the season of 2000 that glory struck of the young Bryant. He took his team to the playoffs, and won. (Britannica.com) Not only did he do that, but he continued his streak all the way to 2003 (CNN.com) This was when he was named Season MVP in 2003, 07, 09, and 11

the 1992 men’s basketball team nicknamed the dream team, was the first american olyimpic team to have been made up of all NBA players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. At the time the team was described as “the greatest mix of basketball talent on gods green earth”. Aside from the exceptional talent on the bench, the coaches hosted some talent themselves. Chuck Daly served as head coach long side Lenny Wilkens and Mike Krzyzewski as assistants.

“With the first pick in the 1992 NBA draft, the Orlando Magic select Shaquille O’Neal from LSU.” announced the commissioner.

Throughout Magic Johnson’s early life basketball was what he lived for. As a child Magic Johnson 's Father would turn on basketball games to let Magic learn more about the game. Magic would go to the park and play with his friends when he had time. Magic Johnson played in the Nba ( National Basketball Association ) and won various awards. He will go down as one of the best to play the game. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons. Now that Magic Johnson is retired, he is now an entrepreneur, he owns the Los Angeles Dodgers and various charities. In Johnson 's career he was NBA Finals Most Valuable Player 1980, 1982, and 1987. He Holds the career playoff record for most assists 2,346, Johnson also holds NBA Finals single series records for assists per game (14.0) in 1985 and the best rookie in the assist category in 1980. Johnson also scored the most points for a rookie in a playoff game (42) he set that record May 16, 1980. Also Holds the career record for the highest assists per game average in a season 11.2. He shares the career record for most consecutive seasons leading the NBA in steals. Also most assists in one half (14). He Shares NBA Finals single game record for most assists in one quarter (8) he tied that record 4 times after that. He also holds single series playoff record for highest assists per game average 17.0 in 1985.

Despite posting the two worst seasons in franchise history over the last two years, the Lakers future is the opposite of bleak. Being in Los Angeles is an innate advantage in free agency, with Kobe Bryant coming off of the books, the team has an enormous amount of cap space, and unless

While many thought that the Los Angeles Lakers are done with their offseason moves, recent reports are emerging that the team is interested in getting problematic Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson.

The Lakers-Clippers rivalry has been quiet for several years now, but with a revamped Lakers team and a Clippers squad playing with chips on their shoulders, the battle of L.A. has officially hit the reset button. Is Brandon Ingram the answer to the Lakers’ problems? Is this Blake Griffin’s last year in a Clippers uniform? The upcoming season will be an eye-opening experience for all fans of basketball in

The Lakers have let be known, through their horrendous roster and by vocally stating, they will be extremely active in free agency. Before the season even came to a close Mitch Kupchak openly stated that he would sign a player to a max deal.

zards.[50] With Bryant back and playing over 38 minutes a game, he saw an increase in all statistical categories in the 1999–2000 season. This included leading the team in assists per game and steals per game. The duo of O'Neal and Bryant backed with a strong bench led to the Lakers winning 67 games, tied for fifth-most in NBA history. This followed with O'Neal winning the MVP and Bryant being named to the All-NBA Team Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team for the first time in his career (the youngest player ever to receive defensive honors).[51] While playing second fiddle to O'Neal in the playoffs, Bryant had some clutch performances including a 25-point, 11 rebound, 7 assist, 4 block game in game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers.[52] He also threw an alley-oop pass to O'Neal to clinch the game and the series. In the 2000 NBA Finals against

In an office in the back of Staples Center during the 1996 offseason one man is set to change the course of not only a franchise but history. Anyone who knows basketball history knows this was the year Shaquille O'Neal signed a seven year $120 million dollar deal with the Lakers. So of course you would think I mean him, but in reality I’m referring to the architect of that deal Jerry West. Jerry West signed Shaq and this move capitulated the Lakers from mediocrity to basketball’s elite. No more did they have to cling onto titles and accolades earned in the 70s and 80s. With Shaq the Lakers won three championships in four years and could now add another player to their Mt. Rushmore of best Lakers ever. In hindsight you expected the Lakers to

Another interesting trade rumor is starting to swirl around the league today. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers are said to be in the mix on this new rumored deal that involves Ricky Rubio, Rudy Gay, and Luol Deng as trade pieces.