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Break up the Lakers
Posted: Wednesday June 21, 2000 12:23 PM
Memo to David Stern: Break up the Lakers. Now. Before it's too late. Give Shaq to the Clippers. Make Kobe go to college. Send Phil to a Buddhist monastery. Get Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson to give them the Microsoft treatment. Just do something. For the sake of the rest of the NBA -- not to mention those in the LAPD assigned to patrol the streets around the Staples Center -- put a stop to this Purple Reign before it's too late. Nothing against L.A., mind you. Lakers fans have waited 12 long years for another title. They deserve the right to enjoy this one. But after watching the Bulls dominate for so long, do we really want to see another dynasty so soon? Yes, we know, it's premature to use the D-word about these Lakers. After all, they were somewhat fortunate to get past the Pacers in the Finals. A few bounces here and there -- and maybe some double-teams on Shaq in Game 1 -- and it's Indiana holding a parade today. And let's not forget L.A.'s less-than-stellar performance in that decisive Game 7 at home against the Trail Blazers. But as shaky as the Lakers played, they are still the champs. And that's scary. Because if the Lakers, with all their warts, can win the NBA title now, what's going to happen over the next few years? Shaq is only 28 years old. He still has three years left on his contract. He's only going to improve, especially from the foul line. Meanwhile, the NBA talent pool at center is drying up fast. The Dream, the Admiral and Patrick Ewing are all getting ready to ride off into the sunset. Arvydas Sabonis and Rik Smits might as well quit now. Who's going to keep Shaq from dominating like never before? Chris Mihm? Then there's Kobe, who at 21 has only begun tapping his enormous potential. He has four years left on his contract, meaning he could be tag-teaming with the Diesel through the 2002-03 season at least. In addition, the Lakers will surely go out and get better complementary players. Though they are capped out for next season, L.A. has tradable assets in forward Glen Rice and guard Derek Fisher, and a mid-level exception of $2.25 million to offer some veteran who wants a shot at a ring. Give Phil Jackson and his staff a couple more years to add a real power forward and a professional three-point shooter, and we could be looking at a Bulls/49ers/Yankees juggernaut all over again. Even Pacers coach Larry Bird admits L.A. has a chance at building a dynasty. "[They do], with Shaquille O'Neal," Bird says. "He's the most dominating player in our league. They have an opportunity here to do something great for a number of years." Of course, it's not a given that Lady Luck will continue to smile on the Lakers. Shaq has been somewhat injury-prone throughout his career. Kobe could decide that he wants to be The Man somewhere else. Other NBA teams will load up to stop them. The Blazers, already stacked, might swing a deal for the draft rights to Mihm or another big man like Joel Przybilla. Free agents Tim Duncan and Grant Hill might join forces in San Antonio or Orlando. The Suns could add Dikembe Mutombo . Barring such moves, however, it looks like L.A. will be holding several more victory title celebrations in coming years. And that will be no fun for the rest of the NBA. So once again, we implore you, Mr. Commissioner. Break up the Lakers. If not for us, do it for the LAPD. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Look for his columns throughout the off-season. Click here to send Marty a comment.
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