The Los Angeles Lakers were the subject of criticism and jokes after an entertaining offseason. The Californians added a terrific player in Russell Westbrook via trade. Also, they filled the rest of their roster spots with veterans that will bring a lot to the team.
After adding Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, and more, the rest of the NBA trolled the Lakers, calling them a ‘retirement house’ for putting together all these experienced players.
Well, this year they can prove that age is only a number, especially if they consider one interesting fact about one of the best teams the league has seen in the past 30 years. Clutch Points recalls that the 1997/98 Chicago Bulls average was 31.7 while the current Lakers average 32.1.
In case you don’t know, those Bulls won the NBA championship after beating the Utah Jazz in six games in the 1998 Finals. At the time, Dennis Rodman (36) was the oldest player on the team. Michael Jordan was 35, Ron Harper and Bill Wennington were 34, while Scottie Pippen and Steve Kerr were 32.
The youngest player on that team was Dickey Simpkins, 25 at the time.
This year, the Lakers have only four players under 30: Anthony Davis, Kendrick Nunn, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Malik Monk.
LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza Marc Gasol are 36. Dwight Howard is 35, while Russell Westbrook and Kent Bazemore are 32.
This is a really experienced team but also a talented one. Even though they’re old, the Lakers are considered title favorites again.
Rotations can be done so that not every guy plays 40 minutes every game, staying fresh for the playoff. Although plenty of people try to bring them down, these Lakers are a menace for the rest of the league.
