By Photographer/Sports Columnist, Joseph Burleson

“Shaq. Kobe. Dynasty. Unbeatable.”
These are the first words that come to mind for Christian Vu (’07) when he thinks of the Los Angeles Lakers of years past. Yet what did Vu have to say for this season’s Los Angeles Lakers? “Inconsistent. Inexperienced. Talentless.”


It seems to have been too long since we last saw a dominant Lakers team, the emphasis being on “team.” Ever since the Lakers’ three-peat years ago, all that the media and Lakers fans alike have been able to talk about is Kobe, Kobe, and — ah yes, more Kobe.
With Kobe Bryant on the brink of averaging nearly 40 points per regular season game and having dropped a cool 81 points earlier this season, it seems that he is the only thing keeping this once-great dynasty alive. Since the loss of Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat the season before last, the Lakers have not been playing at their expected level of greatness. Even with the return of Coach Phil Jackson and the prospective acquisitions of Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm, the Lakers continue in their downfall.
Sorry Phil, but apparently the Zen approach is not working this time.
So what is it exactly that is keeping the Lakers from an NBA title? According to an online survey conducted by usatoday.com in response to the question, “What’s Wrong with the Lakers?” a majority of those polled answered that “[the Lakers] have become complacent — the hunger is gone.”
Is this really the Lakers’ problem this season? Hunger is an important aspect of the game, but let us see what the next highest number of people answered to this same question. “[The] team’s inability to acquire new players is now catching up with it.” Now that is an answer worth investigating.
Who did the Lakers pick up this season? Not a single a player who has a career average over 10 points per game.
The results of a random survey of Lakers fans asked, “Who, of all the Lakers’ new acquisitions, have you previously heard of in the NBA?” further strengthen the position that the Lakers’ fault lies in their new players. Only two out of every ten people surveyed had heard of at least one of the Lakers’ aforementioned player acquisitions.
The answer is definite. The solution is clear. The Lakers do not need a group of inexperienced bench-warmers averaging less than 10 points per game taking up valuable space on this legendary roster. They do not need any more overly confident ball-hogs scoring six times what the rest of their teammates are scoring in a single game. What the Lakers need is a roster of dedicated, experienced athletes, whether it be upcoming talent or established veterans, who will work as a team alongside Jackson to bring the Los Angeles Lakers back to the dynasty they once were.