Lakers Rumors & News Recap: A Little Too Much Frustration

Another loss, another injury. It really is hard to not get a little bit dismayed. This morning, Lakers staff informed L.A. fans via Twitter how back up forward Earl Clark suffered a groin injury and is out indefinitely. Although he isn’t expected to make the final roster, it’s still worrisome that many of the players are having preseason set backs. With an older roster, injuries are something to expect more often, unfortunately.

Speaking of injury reports, Dwight will not make an appearance in the upcoming game against the Jazz. This will be the fourth straight pre-season game he will be sitting out. After Tuesday’s game against the Jazz, the Lakers will have four more preseason games with three coming against the Sacramento Kings and one highly anticipated showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers. Hopefully Dwight plays as a starter soon, but even is he doesn’t, at least Sacre has been showing his potential as Howard’s back up these past few plays. Enough to get special nods, like from teammate Pau Gasol.

With the shaky starting line up, and an adjusting bench, it’s understandable to be frustrated as a Lakers fan. Lakers Nation writer Elizabeth Benson talks about the journey this preseason has taken L.A. and how the 0-3 record isn’t an indicator of failure for the Lakers. She points out the much different World Peace and the promising Steve Nash. But with the bench players, other than a few, many have disappointed. Inexperience has some part to do with it, and in time this concern should get better.

Kobe Bryant took to his Facebook account before Saturday’s game to write an open letter on what leadership means to him. Over the past week, with Bryant’s blunt words on Smush Parker, and Parker’s response to the type of player Bryant is, Kobe’s attitude has been under a little scrutiny. It looks like, however, that Bryant is okay with being a better player than teammate. To each his own.

Bryant is entitled to his opinion, but unfortunately for him I am a fan of one of the most successful basketball icons in history, who not only was a winner, but morally and personally just. John Wooden, who would have been 102 yesterday, was celebrated for creating the most famous dynasty in college basketball, full of some of the greatest players, but also for changing the perspective on coaching and human behavior in sports. I think Kobe needs to read Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization.

For the most part, it would be safe to say Kobe isn’t always causing personal problems with the Lakers. But don’t forget that he has been a brat before; look at his ego issues with Shaq, his feuds with Phil Jackson, and his impulsive media interviews. So far, all is calm in Laker land, and hopefully it will stay that way. There is a lot of big personality on this current team.

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