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Cloudy future for Lakers after premature playoff exit

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-10 11:01

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant walks off the court after Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff against Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Texas, May 8, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Elusive target

That "best" proved to be an elusive target for the men in purple and gold. They surprisingly lost to the woeful Cleveland Cavaliers before the All-Star break and suffered a five-game losing streak the week before the playoffs.

"I don't know where we lost it ... that drive, that bond we had in the past, that cohesive drive in order to overcome adversity," versatile Lakers forward Lamar Odom said.

Just over two years ago, Kobe Bryant described the Lakers' topsy-turvy form during the playoffs as "bipolar", a term that was even more accurate about their uneven play this season.

They initially struggled against smaller and under-manned New Orleans Hornets before winning the first-round series 4-2, and then failed to close out late leads twice against Dallas.

Jackson, the most successful coach in NBA history, had to be persuaded to return to the Lakers this season.

"I came back with some trepidation," he said. "Kobe's knee was an issue and obviously our team was older."

The Lakers have eight players aged above 30 under contract next season and their team has looked increasingly sluggish.

They already have the NBA's highest payroll of $91 million and they exceed the salary cap by too much to sign any top-flight free agents until 2014.

Spanish forward Pau Gasol, who failed to spark during the playoffs, has three more years and $57 million remaining on his deal while the underperforming Artest has three more years and $21.5 million left.

The only Lakers player under 30 with any trade value is the 23-year-old center Andrew Bynum and his career has already been frustratingly stop-start due to ongoing knee injuries.

While owner Jerry Buss has proved to be an astute team builder over the years, he faces an uphill task to resolve the plight of the current squad.

However, Jackson, who memorably described the Lakers as "Jekyll and Hyde" two years ago, sounded a note of confidence about the resiliency of the Lakers team he will be leaving.

"We all know they always come back and get themselves back in the race," he said. "The Lakers are going to survive."