NBA Western Power Rankings Week 3: Warriors storm ahead
By Tom West
Nov 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reacts on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
14th: Los Angeles Lakers (6 points)
By Jose Salviati
Record: 2-9
Record last week: 1-3
Good news: The Lakers had a perfect month. Bad news: Perfect in that they lost every game. Yes, it’s come to that for the once proud Lakers – looking for the silver lining in a season full of clouds. Of course, a losing week is no cause for celebration but without that there just isn’t much joy in Lakerland. So far (emphasis on the “so far”), D’Angelo Russell is leaning more towards bust than boom. Jordan Clarkson has his moments, but doesn’t seem to project to much more than a serviceable guard. Then, there is Kobe Bryant.
While the Spurs and Dallas Mavericks boast players the same age or older that are playing great basketball late in their careers in Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki, the Lakers have a hobbled shell of himself in Kobe. Branch Rickey is quoted as saying that it is better to trade a player one year too early than one year too late. That saying holds true for retirement. There is little doubt that the hardest thing for any player of any sport to know is when it’s time to walk away. For Bryant, so far into the 2015-16 NBA season, it is looking like he may be retiring one year too late. Losses to the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Mavericks earn them this week’s low spot.
Next: Portland Trail Blazers