The 14-18 New York Knicks and 5-26 Los Angeles Lakers would like to believe they're the two most important franchises in the NBA, but let's be honest: It's been a while since the rest of the league looked at either team as much more than a minor annoyance. Last season was an embarrassment that fans in L.A. and New York are eager to forget.
So, the race is on to see which of these storied franchises will return to respectability first. Lakers featured columnist David Murphy and I are documenting this race in a monthly, season-long series.
When we kicked it off last month, the Lakers were 2-11, D'Angelo Russell was complaining to the press and Kobe Bryant had admitted he sucked. The Knicks were 8-6, coming off a four-win streak and Kristaps Porzingis was hearing his name cheered by the crowds at Madison Square Garden. Murphy and I agreed that the Knicks were definitely way ahead of the Lakers.
Since then, though, Kobe announced this would be his final season, and the Lakers, though not racking up wins, seem spiritually buoyed by the glory of his farewell tour. Meanwhile on the East coast, Porzingis slipped into a slump, ...
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Article written by Sara Peters
Race to Respectability: Have Knicks Topped out While Lakers Recalibrate?
December 28th, 2015 by Sara Peters Leave a reply »
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