Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Ways a Missed NBA Season Would Hurt Title Chances

The Los Angeles Lakers came out flat against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals in May.  Kobe Bryant didn't have his shooting touch, and the other Lakers couldn't make up for the loss.  The Lakers' sweep at the hands of the Mavericks, who would go on to win the NBA Finals, would sink in the bones of the Lakers players for the following months.

The feeling may sit in their systems for much longer if the lockout persists, causing the NBA to miss the entire 2011-12 season.  The NBA has some hope of avoiding that grim fate.  According to CBSSports.com, NBA Players Association president Billy Hunter said that he believes the two sides in negotiation can reach an agreement in time to avoid cancelling the season.  However, considering the gridlock that has occurred in the negotiations thus far, one can hardly feel optimistic about that possibility, as much as one would like to hope.

Even though Bryant has kept close watch on the negotiations, that would be very unsettling on his nerves.  He has urged solidarity with the union.  On August 17, he told an audience of 75 players that the players needed to "remain united" throughout the negotiations.  Nevertheless, Bryant is much, much more concerned about the game on the court than he is about about the politics of the game.  Thus, he must be very anxious to return to competing against NBA teams.

His Lakers teammates, as well as new Lakers head coach Mike Brown, would be unhappy with a missed season for various reasons.  None of them—especially Bryant—would be content missing a chance at another Lakers championship.

Following are five reasons why a missed season would work against the Lakers.

The Lakers Title Window Closes a Little More

Every team has a finite title window.  A team can see its title window close for various reasons, such as age, other teams catching up to them, change in player interests, animosity among players and so on. 

Part of the reason the Lakers title window is closing is age.  Another is the uncertainty with the change in coaching.  Also, change in personnel might hurt them.  If the Lakers acquire Dwight Howard or lose Derek Fisher, it could negatively affect the chemistry of the team.  Also, the name change flap with Ron Artest could be a distraction.  Other distractions—and the Lakers have many distractions—might hurt them. 

Also, consider the pressure of winning another championship.  With every championship that the Lakers won, more pressure is mounted upon them.

The Lakers saw their title window close a little bit last season.  The sweep at the hands of the Mavericks was evidence that the Lakers title window had begun to close.

The Lakers can still win a championship, but their time is limited.  A missed season will close their title window without giving them a chance to fight to a championship.

The Team Is Old

Perhaps the biggest reason why the Lakers title window is closing is that the team is old.  The average age of the 2010-11 Lakers player is 29.8.  If a year is missed due to the lockout, then the average age will be 30.8.  10 of the 16 players on the Lakers roster are 31 or older.  Artest and Lamar Odom will turn 32 in November.  Derek Fisher is 37 years old.  Bryant is 33.  Every player who started last season for the Lakers except Andrew Bynum—who would miss a crucial season of maturation if the season is lost—is 31 or older.  This is a strong sign that urgency is needed for another championship run.

The Chicago Bulls were the second oldest team when they won their last championship, in 1998.  Michael Jordan was 35.  Dennis Rodman was 37.  Scottie Pippen was 32.  The Bulls benefited from beating two old teams, the Indiana Pacers and the Utah Jazz, to win the championship.

Not every team gets that chance.  That the Lakers would have that benefit is unlikely.  Age will weigh against them very much if a season is lost.

Kobe Bryant Is Showing His Age

This is a point worth emphasizing.  Bryant, after 15 NBA seasons, is older than other 33-year-old players because he came into the league out of high school.  Bryant felt the transition significantly on his body in his first year.  The age showed significantly on his body last season.  His field goal percentage in the regular season fell from 45.6 percent in 2009-10 to 45.1 percent in 2010-11 and his scoring average fell from 27 points per game to 25.3 points per game.  His playoff scoring average fell from 29.2 per game in 2010 to 22.8 per game in 2011, while his playoff field goal percentage fell from 45.8 percent to 44.6 percent.  In his next season, he will probably see his numbers drop more.

That is not a good sign.  The Lakers lose valuable offense as Bryant ages since he is the primary cog of their offense.  If the Lakers lose the season, they will lose a more significant amount of scoring due to Bryant's age.

Pau Gasol Will Miss the Year at the Turning Point in His Career

The age issue is almost as significant a factor for Pau Gasol as it is for Kobe Bryant.  He is 31 years old this year and will start a new Lakers season at age 32 if the NBA loses a season.  The peak athletic age for basketball players is generally thought to be 31 years old. 

Thus, Gasol is at an important juncture in his career.  He needs to get the most out of this season that he can.  Winning the EuroBasket Championship with Spain would be nice for Gasol, but he will need the NBA competition afterwards in order to stay fresh, and, moreover, fulfill his career goals and potential. 

Conversely, the Lakers need Gasol to fulfill their championship.  In order to win another championship, the Lakers need Gasol at the top of his game.

Mike Brown Will Have Another Year to Wait to Install His Offensive System

Mike Brown as the new Lakers head coach means no more triangle offense for the Lakers.  Brown plans to use the offensive system that he used while coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The lockout would complicate his plans if a season is lost.  The offense will likely look a bit different with the team a year older next year—especially with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol a year older.  Brown might need to ask Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak for new personnel to make the offense work as he wants it to work. 

A missed season would add uncertainty to the offense.  Brown would be sitting with his plans, unable to communicate with his players, unable to make adjustments based on new players.

The future is foggy for Brown and the Lakers system.