Kobe Bryant spent his entire career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and brought five Championships to the city. In the process, he solidified his status as one of the all-time greats.
Kobe's last few seasons with the Lakers were not the best though. While he was on the decline, largely due to injuries, the franchise did not have a roster capable of competing.
Everybody remembers that iconic performance in his final game. But what is easy to forget is that the Lakers won just a combined 65 games over Kobe's last three seasons.
It looks like Kobe wanted the Lakers to add several high-profile stars in his final seasons in the league, including Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade. But things failed to materialize. As Ramona Shelburne wrote on ESPN: "Still, Bryant had tried to cajole the Lakers into fielding better teams around him in his final few seasons in L.A., recruiting free agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, and encouraging a trade for Sacramento Kings star DeMarcus Cousins, sources said.
"The Lakers didn't land any of them. Instead, Bryant played his final seasons with teammates who were infants when he entered the league."
Wade was in the twilight years of his career back then as well and even if the Lakers had managed to sign him, it is unclear how much of an effect the Heat legend would have had on their win column.
LeBron. LeBron might have won a Championship with the Lakers but for the most part, his time in Los Angeles has been disappointing.
He has gone from a regular fixture in the NBA Finals to someone struggling to even make the playoffs.
This summer, there has been plenty of discussion and media hype about LeBron playing with his son, Bronny James, next season, after he was selected 55th by the Lakers.
It is a feel-good story for sure and one that is going to get the attention of fans. But at the end of the day, the Lakers have failed to build a roster that could compete for a Championship.
