The Lakers have a valid excuse and myriad championships to support a few down years, coupled with the retirement of one of the top 5 players in NBA history - the "Black Mamba" Kobe Bryant.
Either the Atlanta Hawks management and ownership are purposely trying to tank - for the past 3 years - or they are complete idiots when it comes to running a sports franchise.
Consider the players they have traded in the last few years and got absolutely nothing in return (in alphabetical order):
- DeMarre Carroll
- Jamal Crawford
- Al Horford
- Tim Hardaway Jr
- Dwight Howard
- Joe Johnson
- Kyle Korver
- Paul Millsap
- Mike Scott
- Thabo Sefolosha
- Josh Smith
- Jeff Teague
In 2010 the Boston Celtics represented the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Since then it's been King James: 4 years with the Miami Heat and the last 3 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Seven years in a row is a miraculous accomplishment (LeBron has won 3 out of 7) but also suggest why LeBron will not supplant the G.O.A.T., MJ.
Michael Jordan appeared in the NBA Finals 6 times and won all 6 without ever going 7 games - two "Three-peats." If MJ doesn't take 2 years off to play baseball, he and the Bulls could have definitely won 8 in a row. Hakeem Olajuwon and his Houston Rockets won the 2 years Jordan was out; no way they win even one championship against Scottie Pippen, MJ, Rodman, the sharp shooters and other supporting cast, if MJ was not trying to play professional baseball.
But I digress, WTF is wrong with the Hawks?
LeBron James Wants To Get Rid Of NBA Salary Limits, And Michael Jordan's Insane 1998 Salary Is The Reason Why
