The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten too used to struggling.
They’re supposed to compete at the highest level every single year, yet it seems like they simply cannot live up to those standards anymore.
Long before LeBron James’ arrival, the Lakers struggled to get back to their winning ways, not making the NBA Finals since Kobe Bryant led them in 2010.
And surprisingly, The King’s arrival hasn’t done a lot to change that, except for that title in the NBA bubble in Orlando.
That’s why former NFL player Shannon Sharpe believes it’s time the Lakers finally put those woes behind them and start playing like the storied franchise they are.
Per Sharpe, it’s not good enough to just make the Play-in tournament or the playoffs, as a franchise like that should always aim to win an NBA championship.
“It’s not good enough for the Lakers to make the Play-In, it’s not good enough to make the playoffs,” Sharpe said. “These are the Los Angeles Lakers, who have 17 titles. It’s about championships.”
“It’s not good enough for the Lakers to make the Play-In, it’s not good enough to make the playoffs. These are the Los Angeles Lakers, who have 17 titles. It’s about championships.”
— @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/mXdDARaWvB
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 2, 2023
That’s exactly what the fans have been saying for years now and why they’ve been so frustrated with Anthony Davis’ lack of availability and inconsistency.
The Lakers have had some of the greatest players of all time: Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and even LeBron James are just a handful of the plethora of stars they’ve had in their ranks.
So no, winning a playoff series isn’t a successful season for a team that has won 17 NBA championships, regardless of how their roster is built.
The Los Angeles Lakers need to live by a standard, and there’s no more room for excuses anymore.
NEXT: Lakers Get Hopeful Update On LeBron James
