Ss&r: Embracing The Tank Isn't Easy For Lakers Fans

My inaugural piece at my new gig as a writer for www.silverscreenandroll.com!

Editor's note: I'd like to welcome Trevor Lane to Silver Screen & Roll. He's a life-long Lakers fan who embraces the history of the franchise while looking ahead at the big picture. He should be another great addition to the site and help round out the level and style of content we want to continue cultivating in our corner of the Internet. Welcome him aboard and enjoy his debut!

The Los Angeles Lakers have long been one of the greatest franchises in professional sports. Their illustrious history is littered with championship parades, superstar players, and unforgettable moments. Accordingly, the Lakers boast the largest fan base of any team in the NBA by a large margin, and have historically demanded nothing but the very best from their purple and gold hardwood heroes.


It's easy to understand why Lakers fans have had such high expectations. The team's roster has featured legends like Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal, MagicJohnson, James Worthy, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and many, many more. Stars have always found their way to Los Angeles, and with them has come 16 NBA championships. For one generation after another the Lakers have provided their fans with exciting, winning basketball.

Compelling, exciting, and most of all championship basketball has become ingrained into Los Angeles culture. It's as much a part of the town's DNA as the sunny weather, movie stars, and unfortunately, Kardashians.

However, over the past three years the rabid fan base has been subjected to a streak of bad luck and poor decisions that has created a perfect storm of Lakers futility. Ever since the heinous David Stern veto of the Chris Paul trade, the team has experienced one "tragedy" after another, including the departures of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, the injuries to Kobe Bryant andSteve Nash, and worst of all, the death of beloved owner Dr. Jerry Buss, a true tragedy.....

Read the rest here!

 

Good deal, man. I like those guys at SSR. They know their stuff; especially Ben Rosales who breaks down all the X's and O's. Congrats. I'll read the piece and give my feedback a little later...

 

We're always talking about our "next" (comparison to name your player) How about member? Next Emplay?















That would be Eric Pincus, Trevor.

 

I wouldn't mind that at all. And I know all about emplay/Pincus, I joined CL back in 04 so I've followed his rise over the last decade...man that makes me feel old!

 

Good read was good, 10/10 will read again.

 

Thanks, I appreciate that! I will start on a new piece in a few days.

 

Excellent read Trevor. You captured the reality and upside down vibe of this season perfectly. Indeed it is for appearance' sake a difficult and delicate balancing "act". Also good examples of Byron's words vs his actions. And you did not weenie out with your recognition of the fact that to do otherwise ....this season...is unthinkable because of what the consequence would be.

 

Thanks, that's exactly what I was going for. I wanted to step back and put everything into perspective and highlight how crazy the idea of the Lakers tanking is when we look at where this team has been, but then rationalize it thanks to the extreme circumstances of this chaotic season.

The one thing that worries me is that while fans have come around to the tank, the organization is still pulling their punches. It's like they are afraid of completely going dark side so they hold back, just a little, and it's cost them a few crucial losses.

Their competitors, meanwhile, have no such fear. PHI, MIN, NY, and now ORL are tanking with everything they have.

The final 11 games will likely decide the fate of the pick, and with it the immediate future of the Lakers. We will see if they have the guts to temporarily push pride aside or not.

 

Exactly. Scares the crap out of me. Keeping that pick or losing it is a crossroads moment for the franchise.

 

Good piece, Trevor. I thought you summarized our past, present, and future quite well. Needless to say, getting that pick is of the utmost importance for this franchise right now...

 

Very good read. It does really suck that our franchise that is so used to winning has to depend on loses in order to better its future in the long term. I've despised teams that have made a practice of tanking i.e. Philly, and Minny with little to show for it. But now that we're on that side of the fence especially down the stretch, it's very apparent how winning is detrimental to what we'll have to play with this summer. To me Lakers losing is like taking that bitter tasting medicine when you're sick, but do it right and things will be better in the long run. At least the season is almost over and hopefully things bounce our way come May 19th.

 

Fantastic article. I think it pitches directly to the heart of our struggles and where the Lakers fans psyche resides within this season. I am proud that we are so averse to tanking, but have accepted that this is the most necessary of evils. Tanking is where we visit now, not where we live (unlike the Philadelphia Tankers). I deeply look forward to reading more of your words and have bookmarked the website.

Thank you.

 

Thanks guys, I truly appreciate it. I'm really enjoying the vibe at SS&R and am hoping to produce many more articles for them. I can also say that regardless of how the tank goes from here on out, on the draft lottery day I'm going to be a nervous wreck. Whether we end up 3rd, 4th, or 5th there will be a chance of us losing the pick, and that's a very scary prospect.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the Lakers can find a way to lose most of their remaining games and somehow end up in 3rd so the pick is about as secure as we can hope for right now. Then if we can make some solid decisions over the summer we can put these tanking days behind us.

 

LOL!!! That's great.