…and Reality
Someone probably should have realized that a bunch of stars on the wrong side of 30 wasn’t the best recipe for success. The Lakers suffered from injuries and underperformance throughout the 2012-2013 season and their core five only managed to start together in seven games. To make matters worse, Head Coach Mike Brown was fired after just five games and owner Jerry Buss passed away during the All-Star break. Despite facing almost every hardship imaginable, the Lakers did manage to squeak into the playoffs, but Bryant was out with a torn Achilles and the Spurs swept the Lakers in the first round.