Lakers complete one of worst seasons ever
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-22 10:00

One of the ugliest seasons in the Lakers' 57-year history has come to a merciful conclusion.

While 16 other teams compete in the postseason, the Lakers are on the sidelines, having failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1994 and the fifth time overall.

Instead of trying to win another championship, their priority is finding a coach.

"That's probably No. 1 on our agenda at this time," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Thursday. "We would prefer to have a coach in place by the draft (June 28), hopefully sooner than that."

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant looks up at the scoreboard as he runs downcourt during the final seconds of the Lakers' game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, April 20, 2005. The Lakers lost to the Trail Blazers 106-103. [AP]

Kupchak confirmed that Phil Jackson, who left last June after five seasons on the job, could be the man.

"Phil is a viable candidate. I don't think that's a secret," Kupchak said. "He has spoken to us. He has met with us on occasion. The job has not been offered to anybody.

"We want somebody who's established. Defense will have to be emphasized. It's something that has to be addressed."

That's no surprise, considering the Lakers' defense was horrendous, allowing the opposition to score 100 or more points in 49 of the team's 82 games.

Kupchak said he believes the 59-year-old Jackson wants to coach again. It's likely other teams will bid for his services — teams that would probably have a better chance at winning a championship sooner than the Lakers.

If Jackson does return to coaching, Los Angeles might have the inside track because his girlfriend is Jeanie Buss, a Lakers executive and the daughter of team owner Jerry Buss.

Jeanie has made her sentiments known, saying publicly she hopes her man returns.

The Lakers, finishing the season on a six-game losing streak, became the seventh team to reach the NBA Finals one year and miss the playoffs the next.

"This season is a step," Lakers star Kobe Bryant said following a season-ending 106-103 loss at Portland. "It seems like a very small step, but it's a step."

The Lakers' 34-48 record was their third-worst since they moved to Los Angeles in 1960, and they finished behind the Clippers for only the third time in the last 27 years.

"We changed this team around and lost a very good nucleus, a team that had been in the Finals four of the last five years," said Frank Hamblen, promoted from assistant to head coach when Rudy Tomjanovich resigned suddenly Feb. 2, citing health concerns.

The Lakers were in playoff contention until losing 19 of their last 21 games.

"I think from day one in training camp, we never did establish trust in each other," Chucky Atkins, the only Laker to play in all 82 games, said Thursday. "I think we need some toughness at every position — inside, especially."

Kupchak promised change, but the Lakers have very little salary cap room, and 12 of the 15 players on this year's roster are under contract for next season, including reserve Brian Grant, owed $29.7 million over the next two years.

"The blame lies with all of us. We're all responsible for what happened this year," Kupchak said. "There's going to be change by virtue of the draft. We will look to make a trade to improve the team. Free agency is also a possibility. We do like the nucleus. It's a very young group."

The Lakers will choose ninth or 10th in the first round of the draft and have two second-round picks.

The downhill trek began right after last season, when the team and Jackson went their separate ways and Shaquille O'Neal demanded a trade. The Lakers acquiesced, sending the NBA's dominant big man to Miami for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Grant.

Bryant returned, signing a seven-year, $136.4 million contract. But the roster had too many small forwards and minimal inside presence.

The Lakers were 18-15 before Bryant sprained his right ankle against Cleveland on Jan. 13 — an injury that caused him to miss 14 games.

They were 24-19 when Tomjanovich resigned.

Odom didn't play after injuring his left shoulder March 18 at Indiana. The Lakers won only two games after that.

To replace O'Neal at center, the Lakers signed Vlade Divac, but back problems limited him to 15 games.

Divac is under contract for $5.4 million next season; the Lakers can buy him out for $2 million.

"We have to make a decision on Vlade by the beginning of July," Kupchak said. "It's something that we're going to have to give a lot of thought to."

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