Let me start off by saying something that is going to make me sound a tad bit crazy but follow me for a second. The fact that the Los Angeles Lakers are 8-29 as of January 8 th , 2025 at 1:15 P.M. as this piece is being written, maybe one of the best things that could have happened to the franchise this year. Before you completely dismiss my theory, give me a chance to talk it out. I was going to tweet through it but this seemed a bit more fitting, plus, those Twitter gangsters scare me.
I was once told by a mentor of mine that going through adversity and tough times are truly blessings in disguise. It might not seem like it right then and there but lessons learned will help develop who you are as a person, and growing up, I always related that to the game of basketball. In this case especially, the current day Los Angeles Lakers.
When I watch the young core of D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle frustrated and upset after games that they just lost in, they look pissed off. They look downright angry and even though were not seeing any tangible results from their pain and suffering right now, once this young core figures it out, they’re going to appreciate this slow start to their NBA careers and laugh.
At this moment this young Lakers team’s will is being tested night in and night out. They’re learning how to lose, they’re learning how to deal with adversity. And believe it or not, unless you’re Floyd Mayweather, everyone loses sometimes. But what makes me know for a fact that this slow start is actually benefiting them is how they seem to learn from it and come back hard the next time they hit the floor. Their never seems to be a lagging after effect nights after they get blown out by 30.
Don’t get me wrong, I know all of Lakers nation would LOVE for the Lakers to be in the playoff hunt but I think learning that everything isn’t always going to be easy in the NBA is WAY more valuable to a players mental approach, along with bettering them as players compared to an early first round exit in the playoffs. Which brings me to my next point.
The worse your record is, the better your shot of winning the draft lottery. I’ve said this once and I’ll say it again, I DO NOT CONDONE TANKING. With that being said, unlike the Sixers, Los Angeles is actually trying to get better as a team. Well, with the exception of Byron Scott, I don’t know what the hell is going on in that guy’s head but that’s a conversation we will have another time. Anyways, I don’t know if you guys have watched college basketball this year, and if you haven’t I don’t blame you because college basketball is trash now. Just bad, I don’t know what happened there, it’s just unwatchable. There is only one guy this year in college basketball that deserves to be a top pick in the NBA draft and that man goes by the name of Ben Simmons. Have you seen this kid play? Sweet baby Jesus can this guy hoop, man can do it all. Everything. Even Magic Johnson tweeted out the other day the Ben Simmons is the best all-around player he has seen since Lebron James. High praise, if you ask me.
I’m not saying that the Lakers should tank for Ben Simmons but if they do end with the worst record in the league and win the lottery, then I’d say there was something tangible and positive that came out of the 2025 season. Ben Simmons isn’t a bad prize to come out with after Los Angeles probably finishes with their worst year in franchise history, breaking last year’s loss record. Plus, Simmons attends LSU so we already know how he’ll look in Purple and Gold.
If you read this far after I made that crazy statement at the beginning, I want to thank you. That gives you the ability to tell me, “I told you so,” if I’m completely wrong one day. It also gives you the ability to screen shot this and tweet me one day (@P_ACasas) if I turn out to be 100 % accurate. Only time will tell.