5 Lakers to Blame for Embarrassing Stretch
By Cem Yolbulan
GM Rob Pelinka
Seemingly everyone in the world but the Lakers front office knew before the season that this team wasn't good enough to contend. The Lakers lost to the Nuggets in the first round last season despite being remarkably healthy all season. Yet, GM Rob Pelinka decided to bring back the exact same group for another run.
This team has one of the worst supporting casts of any team in the NBA. They don't have enough shooting, athleticism, or perimeter defense to be a dangerous team.
The frustrating part of it all is that this was obvious before the season. D'Angelo Russell has massive defensive deficiencies. Austin Reaves is better suited as a sixth man, and Rui Hachimura has a larger role than he should have due to the lack of wing-sized players on the team. Oh, and there are no NBA-caliber frontcourt players other than Anthony Davis on the roster.
The Lakers waste so many roster spots on players who don't deserve to be in an NBA rotation. This list includes Christian Wood, Jaxson Hayes, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and, of course, Bronny James.
Rob Pelinka created this mess of a roster, and he needs to fix it, but it is unclear whether he has the ability to do so.
Jeanie Buss
As the old adage goes, ownership is the biggest competitive advantage in professional sports. Like in any business, it all starts and ends at the top. And as many Lakers fans know all too well, this organization has disastrous leadership.
It is very easy to blame Rob Pelinka and the front office. Let's not forget, however, that it is Jeanie Buss that keeps him in that position.
Whether it is hiring Magic Johnson to be the lead decision-maker, giving a guaranteed contract to Bronny James, or making the disastrous Russell Westbrook trade, Buss' track record is full of questionable decisions.
The Lakers are very lucky that LeBron James wanted to be in Los Angeles in the final stretch of his career. Otherwise, this management is incapable of building a winner, as demonstrated by their inability to construct a good roster around LeBron. The 2020 championship certainly shielded Jeanie Buss from criticism but that goodwill may not last much longer.
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