Pope of Basketball.

Summary

In the preseason, the Lakers had a mediocre record but ranked first in power rankings, with optimism surrounding their potential three-peat. Veteran Gary Payton was signed, aiming for a championship ring and mentoring young players. The Lakers won their season opener against the Suns 124-101, while the Bulls shocked everyone by defeating the Heat by 48 points. The Lakers continued their winning streak, defeating the Warriors and Trail Blazers, but internal issues began to surface as players sought personal stats over team success. After a nine-game winning streak, the Lakers lost to the Raptors, Bulls, and Jazz, revealing cracks in their dominance. Despite a Christmas victory against the Heat, the Lakers struggled with complacency and underestimating opponents, leading to three more losses in December. The season highlighted the risk of internal division within a once-dominant team.

Full content