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Looks really nice in that Laker uniform, doesn’t he? Image courtesy of sports abs-cbn.com

 

MY ONE AND A HALF CENTS ON THE BLOCKBUSTER TRADE THAT WAS REPORTED THIS PAST WEEKEND

Yeah, I know – every sports fan on the planet, not just NBA fans and not just SoCal sports fans or Laker fanatics who still think that purple and gold-clad team is the best thing since sliced bread despite them being one of the worst teams in pro basketball the past six years, has heard this huge news already;

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

It was reported that the Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to send superstar Anthony Davis to Los Angeles in exchange for Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball – evidently the Lakers have had enough with Ball’s brittle body and his father’s persona and off-the-cuff comments – and three first round picks.

Make no mistake, Davis is a superstar, winning more or less every individual NBA award a player can win in his seven years in the league, including the All-Rookie team, the All-NBA first team (three times), the All-Defensive first team, and career averages of 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocked shots per game.

Indeed, Magic Johnson, upon hearing the news, exclaimed, “We’re back, baby!”

I’m sure that much like when LeBron James became a Laker last year, Laker fans are already making their plans for the victory parade down Figueroa Blvd. after their “Lake Show” cruises through the NBA Finals on their way to their 17th league championship around this time next year.

However…

Without intending to be a “Derek Downer”, those grand visions of glory is precisely what concerns me.

Like everyone else, I was excited when LeBron joined the Lakers; while I didn’t think they would win the NBA title, I confidently predicted the end to their run of losing, non-playoff seasons.

Suffice to say, I felt duped at what unfolded at Staples Center this past year as (everyone knows) for the sixth straight season, despite the presence of the best basketball player on this planet for this century, those Lakers sucked;

  • No winning season
  • No postseason
  • And the Clippers still ruled L.A. in the grand tradition of “What have you done for me lately?”

Which is why until I see results – not only a playoff appearance in 2020, but a deep postseason run,

While it is good that Davis is joining the Lakers, I am NOT going to get excited over any season prognostications.

And I am DEFINITELY NOT going to proclaim the Lakers as being relevant again – not until I see some true results.

Everyone had the Lakers being relevant after LeBron signed and put on a purple and gold uniform, and they turned out to be more irrelevant than ever.

When they make the 2020 postseason and win – at bare minimum – one playoff series, preferably two,

Then I’ll proclaim the Lakers as being back.

And not before.

I certainly hope that due to Davis joining LeBron at Staples Center this coming fall and winter, the Lakers go back to their dynastic ways.

As well as hope that, being a free agent in 2020, that Davis enjoys his time as a Lakers enough to sign a long term deal with them.

But until I see that…

 

Soon to be teammates as of this coming October. Photo courtesy of cbssports.com