It's Been A Bad Week For Lakers After Failed Dan Hurley Bid, Weak Tribute To Jerry West
How far the mighty can fall.
For decades, the Los Angeles Lakers were accustomed to being at the top of the NBA mountain.
Look at the Lakers now. The dysfunction, via ineptitude, leaves little to the imagination as to why this team can't recapture glory.
These Guys Aren't Your Dad's Lakers Team
As people look for the root cause of the Lakers' regression, the focus often shifts to Lakers heir and owner Jeanie Buss.
A foundation built by titans of the sport, such as the genius Dr. Jerry Buss, who died in 2013, and legendary Jerry West, keeps the Lakers' box office appeal alive despite years of truly awful decision-making by the brass. Some could also add that Los Angeles' massive market also upholds a newly mediocre Lakers operation.
The modern Lakers are a first-round exit team looking to rebuild their dynastic image. While currently coach-less, the Lakers have communicated to fans that a grand plan is in play as long as LeBron James is a part of the organization.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 29: LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a turnover during the fourth quarter of the Denver Nuggets' 108-106 win at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Monday, April 29, 2024. The Nuggets eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs for the second straight year by way of a 4-1 series victory. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 25: Jeanie Buss attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on April 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Some would say James is the reason the Lakers are reportedly interested in hiring former player and podcaster J.J. Redick — boasting no prior experience — as their next head coach.
Lakers' Higher-Ups (Then LeBron James) Remain The Problem
RELATED: Jerry West Tributes Flood Social Media After NBA Legend Passes Away At 86
Jeanie Buss has been viewed over the years as something of a 'Kathleen Kennedy' of the NBA. She can be a savvy businesswoman with a popular product, though its appeal clearly rests more on its legacy than its future. Much like Kennedy's overseeing of the "Star Wars" property, fans are worried about the direction the franchise is headed … in this case, it's the Lakers.
Jeanie Buss, owner of the LA Lakers. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Then there's general manager Rob Pelinka, whose weak claim over operations compared to LeBron James often puts the Lakers in the wrong direction.
A Failed Bid For Dan Hurley
Last week, reports burst on the scene that the Lakers were vetting UConn's two-time college champ Dan Hurley as their top pick for their coaching vacancy.
Since declining the offer, Hurley has been open about the talks with LA. He even admitted that the number on the checker could've been hired for such a Herculean operation as rebuilding the Lakers. The numbers floating around that Hurley was offered $70 million over six years certainly suggest LA's offer lacked enough fat to poach him from UConn.
Jeanie Buss has been criticized this offseason for letting the premier franchise get so cash-poor.
The immediate comparison goes to the cross-city team in the Clippers, a franchise with more of a game plan for the future. Steve Ballmer's team will unveil a new arena in November, which is expected to offer one of the most attractive NBA fan experiences.
LeBron and the Lakers' home arena still has crypto on the title, which should immediately raise eyebrows over the team's financial stability.
Lakers Brass Missed the Mark With Franchise Legend
Compared to all the eulogies and statements Wednesday, the Lakers did a poor job of honoring the late Jerry West.
Jerry West, who died at age 86, reminded Lakers fans of the halcyon "Showtime" days for the franchise.
LOS ANGELES, CA - 1987: Jerry West, General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, sits at his desk circa 1987 at The Forum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Not fixing their relationship with Jerry West, a pioneer of the franchise capable of butting heads with the brass, showed the Lakers' lack of regard for the foundation that made them. Excluding an Instagram Story post, Jeanie Buss didn't put much effort into commemorating West for helping build the famous Lakers brand — a major oversight by the big boss.
"Today is a difficult day for all Laker fans," Buss wrote. "I know that if my father were here, he would say that Jerry West was at the heart of all that made the Lakers great. He was an icon to all — but he was also a hero to our family. We all send our sympathies to Karen and the West family."
After leaving to consult the dynastic Golden State Warriors, West tried to return to LA with the Lakers in 2017 but was not allowed. He shifted toward the Clippers and was heavily involved with the intracity rival until his passing.
"It’s because of Jerry West that there was even ‘Showtime,'" former Lakers player and coach Byron Scott posted separately.
As calls build for Jeanie Buss to sell the team, who the team chooses to hire as the next head coach and who they acquire to bolster the roster could determine the future in LA.
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