Carmine

The Los Angeles Lakers had another disappointing season. In the beginning of the season it appeared that the Lakers were all set to return to top after having a record of 26-13. But then the Lakers went and lost 27 of their last 43 regular season games and ended the season 42-40 but still made it to the playoffs.

However, Lakers could not live up to what the fans expected and in the first round of the playoffs, they were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns 4-1.

This is the third consecutive season that the Lakers have been disappointing after winning three championships and a spot in NBA finals in a span of five years. Now the question that keeps popping into ones mind is what direction are the Lakers going towards. At least that is what Kobe Bryant did after the Lakers lost the second consecutive game in the first round to the Suns.

From 2000 to 2004, the Lakers won 20 playoff series with Jackson, Bryant and Shaquille ONeal in the team. They have also won four postseason games but no series in the last three years.

After the Lakers lost to Detroit in the 2004 NBA finals, they traded ONeal, a move that was unavoidable because ONeal wanted out and if they had kept him Bryant would have moved to the Clippers.

Bryant stayed on with the Lakers and signed a 7 year contract. He led the NBA in scoring the last two season but the support he has been getting in the court has its own limitations.

There is no doubt that the injuries suffered by Lakers players explains why the season and postseason went so woefully for the Lakers and added to that the draft picks in the last three years have done little to help them.

The Western Conference is full of strong teams and at the moment it does not look like the Lakers have what it would take for them to make an impact in the Conference next season.

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