At 16-44, things are so bad in Lakerland that they are beginning to lose fans. Besides their number one fan Jack Nicholson, fans just aren't into supporting one of the worst teams in the league and the team's home attendance has suffered. Dating back to last season, the Lakers have failed to sell out 11 home games which is highly unusual for the franchise as since 2006 they have had a home sell-out streak that lasted 320 games.
While the product on the court may not be that much better next season, Lakers' president Jeanie Buss does have a plan to get fans back into Staples Center. The plan revolves around their star Kobe Bryant who will be entering his 20th season. As Mark Medina of the LA Daily News reports, Buss plans on making home games a celebration of Bryant's longevity and loyalty to the franchise.
With Bryant set to return for the 2015-16 season in what could mark his last year, Buss said the Lakers are “talking about a bunch of different things” to honor Bryant in his 20th season with the Lakers at home games. Buss promised “we will make it special.”
The Lakers honored former Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during his 20th and final season with the Lakers, 1988-89, with the Hall of Famer receiving a 1989 Rolls Royce in his final regular-season game at the Forum. Buss suggests Bryant’s tribute will be different.
“We’re not asking the NBA to celebrate Kobe,” Buss said. “With Kareem, it was endearing to watch every city do something special and thank him for all that. But that was clearly Kareem’s last year. I don’t know if we’re going into this clearly knowing that this is Kobe’s last year. Only Kobe can decide that.”
As Buss remarks, it is still unknown if Bryant will retire after next season. His contract will be up but he will be returning from shoulder surgery and his body has clearly shown signs of breaking down over the last couple of years. But Bryant's competitive fire and if the Lakers are able to sign a marquee free-agent in 2016, may make him consider coming back for another season.
Twenty years in the NBA though is an amazing feat for Bryant. Only Kevin Willis (23 seasons), Robert Parish (21 seasons), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (20 seasons) and Kevin Garnett (currently playing in his 20th season) have passed that mark. There have been rumors that Garnett make stick around for two more years but he has hinted that he may retire shortly. Bryant has hinted as much as well which is why the Lakers are thinking about honoring him next season.
While the Lakers commeding Bryant on his 20th season is the right thing to do the fact that they may do it numerous times throughout the season is an interesting business move. For the past two seasons, the Lakers have been getting by on Bryant's fame and that is a big reason why they recently signed him to a two-year $48.5 million contract extension. He is their money maker as fans buy tickets to games not only in Los Angeles but across the country just for a glimpse of Bryant.
But will fans want to be part of numerous historical moments honoring his 20th season next year? Since it is Kobe, they probably will. Especially if the Lakers have 20th anniversary themed giveaways for each game.
Whatever it takes to get butts in seats in Los Angeles, even if it means maybe making Bryant's achievement a bit of a mockery.
