A Legend's Take on the Lakers

In yet another outstanding article published yesterday, long-time Lakers’ insider and the organization’s official biographer, Roland Lazenby discusses a recent phone conversation he had with former Lakers’ assistant Tex Winter. One of the best basketball minds around, the 85 year-old Winter shared his thoughts on the evolution of Kobe Bryant and the current state of the Los Angeles Lakers. The comments from Winter are accurate and optimistic, and at the same time very candid in their calls for self-assessment and self-improvement- the kind of constructive advice one can expect from a caring and observant grandparent.

With regard to Kobe Bryant and his trade repeated requests, Tex opined the time has come for Kobe to stop pushing for a trade and to realize that remaining with the Lakers is clearly the best move for him. Winter went on to say that while he likes the talented young roster of the Chicago Bulls, “Frankly, I’m not sure how much he’d be able to help that club.” As the conversation shifted to his brainchild, the famed Triangle offense, Winter expressed the opinion that the offensive system he’s spent a good deal of his life developing is still as effective as ever. Tex goes on to say that Kobe Bryant’s physical and mental abilities make him the best player for the Triangle in the NBA, “And he knows it. I wish he would concentrate on playing the game and making his teammates better and not worry about all this other stuff.” Winter was also eager to praise Kobe for his maturity and dedication to the team concept in the early season, citing Kobe’s recent praise of Andrew Bynum’s work ethic, renewed dedication on the defensive and, most importantly, his willingness to play with in the offense.

Winter goes on to say that the Lakers’ offensive development will hinge on two things- greater attention to detail with regard to Triangle fundamentals (constant movement and precise passing and cutting), and improved passing from their big men. Tex mentions that of all the Lakers’ big men, Andrew Bynum has shown the potential to be the best passer out of the post (it helps to learn from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest passing big men in league history).

Winter, who suffers from painful shingles in his chest, is not currently with the team, but watches many game from his home in Oregon, had some additional observations on Kobe & Co. He says the Lakers’ could reach the next level, provided Andrew Bynum continues to work at his game with a high level of passion and dedication. He also says that Kobe needs to realize that the Lakers are terribly far from being the competitive team he so badly wants.

With Kobe’s dedication to being a part of this team, along with the improved play of the team’s younger players, the tension surrounding the Lakers has begun to subside a bit. Roland Lazenby’s insightful article about his chat with Tex Winter reveals two extremely encouraging realities in LakerLand- first, this team is better, and closer to contending, than many realize (and that comes from someone who knows!), and second, it’s nice to know that while Kobe is hopeful that his friend and mentor, Jerry West, will return to the organization he brought to prominence (man, would be great, or what?), there’s another caring set of eyes watching over him, with his best interest at heart.