Are the Lakers Losing Their Charm?

Are the Lakers losing their charm?

The Los Angeles Lakers hold a rich legacy. Dr. Jerry Buss and his family acquired the team in 1979, revolutionizing it. Turning it into the hottest thing in Hollywood. Where big stars like Jack Nicholson and Prince used to watch superstars bounce a ball. They'd act like fans. Like the everyday Joe, and let loose. Cheering on superstars like Magic Johnson. Everyone at home wanted to be a Laker. It had an incredible aura. Seeing the shiny purple and gold on TV. But it seems like all that has been fading away. No longer does it seem like superstars want to play for the Purple and Gold. This free agency might have shown that.

It wasn't always perfect under Dr. Jerry Buss. His handling of the Shaq situation made it clear. It led the superstar to being traded to Miami, where he won a championship. One of the rare failures of the owner. Regardless, he was able to make the Lakers the hottest thing in Hollywood. The Forum Stadium was a club where all the celebrities and athletes used to party after games. Being a Laker was like being a part of the Billionaire Boys Club. It helped to make guys like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar household names. Spending money to dominate the 80s and making the NBA mainstream. And then in the 2000s, the Lakers were able to win for half a decade.

It was one of the most exciting era in the Shaq and Kobe era. Shaq was the biggest star in Orlando, where they foolishly did not pay him. And a young Kobe Bryant, who came from the 1997 draft trade as the 13th pick to the Charlotte Hornets. Only to be traded in exchange for long-time center and Laker Vlade Divac. They were able to dominate that era and win three championships. One of the greatest 1-2 punches history has ever seen. Dr. Jerry Buss was able to continue the success of the team he bought. Then, when everything fell off. The Lakers in 2008 made the legendary trade for Pau Gasol, winning 2 more championships. As an owner, he was able to win 10 championships. Making him the greatest owner of all time. A charismatic man who had a vision that made the Lakers the American team of basketball. He passed away in 2013, which was a huge loss for the sport. The Lakers then went through a harsh downfall.

The Lakers post  Dr. Jerry Buss was dark. The trio of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard failed. Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles, which ended the peak of Kobe. Pau Gasol went to play for the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers were headed for a tough time. Starting from scratch and having to rebuild. Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak were able to draft some All-Stars: Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, and D'Angelo Russell. Along with role players like Jordan Clarkson, Lonzo Ball, and Ivica Zubac. Jim Buss was bad at spending. Which then led to a coup that got him out of here, and Jeanie Buss took over ownership and decision-making.

Under Jim Buss, it seemed like the Lakers were not able to attract any free agents. In 2014, rumors said the Lakers would sign DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love, and Carmelo Anthony. In 2015, it seemed like LaMarcus Aldridge would be signing with the Lakers. But they lucked out on all those guys. A franchise that was able to get Shaq in the 90s was now failing to get All-Star players to sign. It showed that players no longer valued winning in LA. The glitz and glamour were dying. Nobody wanted to be a Laker. But then the coup happened. Jeanie Buss was able to force her way into the scene. People blamed Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak for why they did not get free agents. Now, with Jeanie, the expectations changed. Fans thought free agents were going to walk through the door.

The first thing Jeanie did once taking over LA was bring on the big names on the staff. She tried to bring back the Lakers Aura, which was successful in her father's time. Where he had Jerry West run the show and make decisions. She went ahead and brought in the Greatest Laker of All-Time in Magic Johnson along with Rob Pelinka, who was an agent of Kobe Bryant. Rob was a big-time agent who represented players such as James Harden and Kevin Durant. The hope was that with these two in the front office they would bring in a superstar.

which they did in 2018. LeBron James, arguably the greatest basketball player, signed with the Lakers. It was the first time in a long time the Lakers were able to sign a major free agent. It felt like that LA was back on the map. The Lakers were once again Hollywood. LeBron James signed with a team of unproven talent. This showed that the Lakers' aura is still strong. Then in 2019, they made a huge trade. Getting Anthony Davis, who wanted to leave the NOLA Pelicans. The Lakers then went on to win the gold in the pandemic. First title since the death of Dr. Buss.

Since then, the Lakers have been on a downward slope. They traded key role players from their finals run, Kyle Kuzma and KCP, for an older Russell Westbrook. Not resigning Alex Caruso. The Lakers became a confusing team. The Lakers missed the playoffs in 2022. Then they had to fight in the play-in to secure a playoff spot in 2023. Going all the way to the Western Conference, then losing to the Nuggets in four. Then the following season, the Lakers lose to the Nuggets in five. The Lakers have had to fight for the past few years. Which has been an embarrassment.

The Lakers, a team with two superstars, shouldn't have to fight for a playoff spot. They should be able to compete in the regular season and get a high spot in the standings. Under Dr. Jerry Buss, it would be crazy to imagine Shaq and Kobe Bryant having to fight for a playoff spot. But under Jeanie, it has been that. It is an embarrassment that they are wasting LeBron's last few years and AD's prime years. The Lakers should go all out in trying to win. There is no reason why the Lakers have gone through three head coaches, but it has happened. Incompetency, which we didn't see for decades.

Jeanie and Rob went through three head coaches is a bad look. The Lakers expected to sign Dan Hurley for a crazy price, but that fell through. They had to settle for JJ Reddick, who has been a big voice in the media. Frank Vogel got fired for not integrating Russell Westbrook. Darvin Ham got fired for being awful. These are not good looks for star-free agents. So Paul George, DeMar DeRozan, and Klay Thompson decided not to sign there. It is crazy to think about how they did not want to play for a team that has LeBron and Anthony Davis. Because they see the Lakers as a team that has not put together rosters to compete for a title. Players once dreamed of playing for the Lakers. They would even die for it. But, for the past decade, they have chosen to take their talents elsewhere. Not a very ideal look for the organization.

The charm of the Lakers has been dying. The way ownership and the front office make decisions has shown them to be incompetent. Big free agents are deciding to play for lesser-known franchises instead of Hollywood. The purple and gold are losing their charm. The Buss family has caused this. Dr. Jerry Buss took a win-at-all costs approach to signing players. It was the opposite with Jeanie. LeBron and Anthony Davis should have more rings on their fingers. Instead, they are fighting for a spot to be in the playoff picture. It has been embarrassing to think that a team that made all the right moves has regressed so much. After LeBron leaves, there will be no future. With the Clippers' rich owner, players will want to join his Clippers team instead. The LA monopoly that the Lakers had is dying. Until the Lakers become a competent franchise, it is hard to see a bright future for the organization.

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